Redskins Position Group Breakdown: Quarterbacks

July 18, 2018

by Jamual Forrest

The Redskins have been in a state of flux at the quarterback position for decades at a time. Bad investments, fill-ins at the position, and poor planning have taken its toll on the Redskins to this point. Even though former Washington quarterback Kirk Cousins was the starter the past three seasons, there was no certainty moving forward given he was always on essentially a one-year deal. Before that, Robert Griffin III was only in place for two seasons before his career took a turn in Washington. This is all to say, that nothing has changed in regards to uncertainty.

Alex Smith was traded to Washington this March following a very successful tenure in Kansas City. Smith signed a four-year contract to stay in Washington for the immediate future. However, there is no guarantee the 34-year old quarterback will be in Washington to play his contract out in full. The good thing about Smith though is that despite his age, he still played the best football of his career in 2017. His efficiency at the position are his ability to protect the football are much-needed traits for the Redskins offense and, for that matter, the defense. That is not to say Kirk Cousins was a bad quarterback, but just volatile in the sense that he too often gave the defense one too many opportunities per game. Smith is a quarterback who is a bonus to the run game as well due to his mobility.  It is a threat to defense that forces them to play 11 on 11 at all times. His leadership and composure should be a reason why the Redskins as a whole should improve from their 2017 campaign.

Colt McCoy will back Alex Smith up. McCoy is entering his fifth season with Washington, having primarily held the number two position on the depth chart for his entire career in Washington. McCoy’s familiarity with head coach Jay Gruden’s offense will negate the significant drop-off in production if he is needed to fill in for Smith at some point in the season.

The starting two quarterbacks are seniors at the position, and that is a reason for concern in itself. When it comes to the future of the position, it is critical that the Redskins find and develop a younger player who can take over without a hitch once Smith or McCoy departs from Washington.  The Redskins acquired third year man Kevin Hogan out of Stanford from the Cleveland Browns a trade involving a swap of sixth round draft picks.  Hogan’s NFL career thusfar has been underwhelming, with a career quarterback rating of 61.5 in 8 games, but he will get his shot to prove he can fill the #3 role.

In the meantime, Washington is in good hands with Smith leading the offensive unit.