The Washington Redskins have named Dwayne Haskins as the team's starting quarterback for the remainder of the season.
Interim head coach Bill Callahan announced the decision at a press conference Monday afternoon at Redskins Park.
Haskins, the team's 15th overall pick in the 2019 NFL draft, will make his second career start and his first at home Sunday against the New York Jets. He appeared in in relief for fellow quarterback Case Keenum against the New York Giants and the Minnesota Vikings before getting his first career start against the Buffalo Bills. He has completed 27 of 44 passes for 284 yards this year.
Haskins received the nod for the start against the Bills when Keenum was placed in the league's concussion protocol. Although the team ultimately lost 24-9, Callahan praised him for his poise and decision-making in the days after the game. Haskins finished the game 15 of 22 for 144 yards.
Take a look at photos of Redskins QB Dwayne Haskins through his rookie season.
on August 9th, 2019 the Washington Redskins played the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Field in Cleveland, Ohio
on August 9th, 2019 the Washington Redskins played the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Field in Cleveland, Ohio
on August 9th, 2019 the Washington Redskins played the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Field in Cleveland, Ohio
on August 16th, 2019 the Washington Redskins played the Cincinnati Bengals at FedEx Field in Landover, Maryland.
on August 9th, 2019 the Washington Redskins played the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Field in Cleveland, Ohio
"I thought he was very calm," Callahan said during last week's press conference. "I thought he executed the system well. I thought that transferred into the players."
Callahan was also peppered with questions about starting Haskins for the rest of the year, but he said he wanted to use the extra time during the team's off week to make that decision.
"I haven't decided anything at this juncture yet," Callahan said at the time. "So I'm going to take my time on that and look at a lot of different things because we've got some time. We've got time this bye week to go back and look at a lot of different things, so that's the posture this week."
Both Callahan and offensive coordinator Kevin O'Connell spoke highly of Haskins' preparation for the game against the Bills, and he himself said he was confident heading into the Bills game and as the contest progressed.
"I was seeing the field better and better as the game went on," Haskins said after the game. "…Hopefully I keep going in the bye week and the rest of the season."
Haskins made his NFL debut in Week 4 against the Giants when he replaced Keenum in the second quarter. He showed flashes of talent, such as when he drove the offense down to the Giants' 2-yard line and set up a field goal, but he was largely ineffective (9 of 17 passing for 107 yards and three interceptions) in the team's 24-3 defeat.
Haskins didn't see the field again until the team's Thursday Night Football game against the Vikings on Oct. 24. The Redskins were down 13-6, and while Haskins played well in spurts once again, they lost 19-9.
He was announced as the starter against the Bills at the end of the following week. Despite being pitted against a top-five defense and getting pounded with windy conditions, Haskins played turnover-free football and drove the offense into scoring position three times.
Sunday's game will be more favorable with Haskins playing at home and the Jets having one of the league's worst pass defenses. Sunday's kickoff at FedExField is scheduled for 1 p.m.
