With the NFL Draft completed, Redskins.com is breaking down the team's roster as it prepares for the 2020 campaign.
First up are the quarterbacks. Head coach Ron Rivera and his new coaching staff inherited second-year signal caller Dwayne Haskins Jr. and traded with the Carolina Panthers to acquire Kyle Allen during free agency.
The Redskins also have veteran Alex Smith, who continues to recover from a gruesome leg injury, as well as Steven Montez, who they signed as an undrafted free agent.
ROSTER SUBTRACTIONS:
- Case Keenum
- Colt McCoy
KEY ADDITION(S):
- Kyle Allen
- Steven Montez
THE LATEST:
Rivera said at the NFL Scouting Combine the Redskins were planning to bring in "very competitive competition" for Haskins as he works towards becoming the starter.
And despite there being a bevy of free agent quarterbacks, such as Cam Newton, Jameis Winston and Marcus Mariota, the Redskins decided to trade a 2020 fifth-round pick for Allen, who went undrafted in 2018.
The acquisition centered around familiarity and integrity. Redskins offensive coordinator Scott Turner was Allen's quarterbacks coach in Carolina the past two seasons, and Rivera trusted Allen to start 12 games in 2019 after Newton went down with an injury.
"He's had some success. He's good in the locker room. He understands what I'm looking for. He understands what Scott [Turner] is looking for," Rivera said during a radio interview in late March. "So, hopefully we can take that and use it to our advantage with out new team."
In addition to Haskins and Allen, Rivera, Turner and new quarterbacks coach Ken Zampese have all brought up Smith when discussing the team's quarterbacks. Smith also talked publicly about his plans to play in 2020. However, it's uncertain when Smith will be able to return to the field following what has been a life-threatening recovery -- all of which was documented in the recent E:60 special, "Project 11."
With Smith still sidelined and Keenum and McCoy signing elsewhere during free agency, the Redskins welcomed Montez as an undrafted free agent. The 6-foot-5, 235-pound quarterback accounted for more than 10,000 total yards and 74 touchdowns during his career at Colorado.
WHAT TO WATCH:
Rivera said the Redskins will go into training camp believing Haskins is the starter but added there will be competition between him and Allen.
Haskins, the 15th overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, is seen by many as the future of the franchise. He's coming off a promising conclusion to his rookie campaign and has garnered praise from Rivera for the work he's put in this offseason. The new coaching staff seems to believe in him but expects him to earn the starting quarterback title.
Allen will provide stiff competition. He may not be as naturally talented as Haskins, but he knows Turner's offense and Rivera's coaching style. Allen does not have to learn a new system; he needs to build relationships with those operating within it.
The virtual offseason program, implemented as a response to the novel coronavirus, only complicates matters. Videoconferencing has replaced face-to-face instruction, and there's no timetable for when club facilities will reopen or when franchises will be able to practice. For a young quarterback like Haskins learning a new system, repetition is paramount.
The situation is constantly evolving, so it's impossible to know when the Redskins will resume organized team activities. But when that does happen, it appears Haskins will have the inside track as he attempts to retain the starting job.
