INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – FEBRUARY 26: Head coach Ron Rivera of the Washington Redskins interviews during the second day of the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 26, 2020 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images)
Dwayne Haskins is the expected starting quarterback for the Washington Redskins but Ron Rivera is meeting with Joe Burrow and Tua Tagovailoa.
Ron Rivera is keeping his options open when it comes to his starting quarterback.
The first-year head coach of the Washington Redskins likes what he’s seen so far from Dwayne Haskins who started seven games as a rookie last year. Rivera inherits the former Ohio State quarterback who was the No. 15 pick in last year’s NFL Draft.
Haskins threw seven touchdowns and seven interceptions while completing 58.6 percent of his passes. Washington went 2-5 in his seven starts.
He is in line to be the starting quarterback but he won’t be given the job because he was a first round pick who finished last year as the starter.
Rivera made it clear at the NFL Combine on Wednesday that Haskins is going to have to earn it on the field just like every other player in the starting lineup.
And Haskins could have some surprising competition.
Rivera also said he will be meeting with quarterbacks Joe Burrow and Tua Tagovailoa at the combine. He also clarified this isn’t just due diligence to meet with the two top-ranked quarterbacks. While he called Haskins a “good young player” he is keeping all options open as he evaluates the players on the roster and the players at the combine in Indianapolis who could be future Redskins.
Naturally, you have to take everything coaches say at the combine with a grain of salt. Rivera is wise to meet with Burrow and Tua, but Washington isn’t drafting either one of them. Burrow or Tua will be the No. 1 pick and Washington should take Ohio State defensive end, Chase Young, with the No. 2 pick.
Saying they are remotely interested in the quarterbacks is a calculated response to spark trade interest with teams trying to get ahead of the Detroit Lions who own the No. 3 pick. Detroit is viewed as a team that could take the No. 2 quarterback or trade with a team like Miami or San Diego who want to make sure they get their franchise quarterback.
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