Washington released Dwayne Haskins, the first round of 2019, on Monday, less than 24 hours after committing three turnovers in a loss to Carolina and in the aftermath of another violation of pandemic protocols.
Haskins started in place of injured full-back Alex Smith, despite being disciplined for violating Covid-19 rules by partying with several people without a mask. He was fined $ 40,000 and stripped of his captaincy, but coach Ron Rivera chose to stick with Haskins because Smith was still injured and he did not have another established QB in the rankings.
“My time with the WFT has unfortunately come to an end,” Haskins tweeted. ‘I thank the team and fans for the opportunity to play for the team I grew up for. I take full responsibility for not complying with the standards of an NFL QB and will become a better man and player because of this experience. ”
Rivera said Smith or Taylor Heinicke will begin the NFC East title at the end of the regular season in Philadelphia on Monday morning. It was clear that Rivera was done with Haskins, which he moved to the bottom of the depth chart for the second time this season.
“Sometimes you have to fall to the bottom before you can dig back out of it,” Rivera said. “I hope he learns from these experiences. Hopefully they will make him stronger and they will help him, and hopefully, when he gets his next opportunity, he will make the best of it. ‘
Haskins was 14 of 28 with two interceptions and a whisper against the Panthers before putting Heinicke, who has not played in the NFL since 2018, on the bench. Rivera was asked what he would like to see from Haskins next week and replied, “Just improvement.”
It will have to come elsewhere. He has some tools to succeed in the pros, but could not sum it up in 16 performances.
“You watch his talent and you see the arm,” Rivera said. “This is the thing that I think is his most redeeming quality as a quarterback, which I think is probably the most important.”
But this is by no means the only thing, his behavior outside the field exceeds his potential. A favorite of owner Dan Snyder of his time at a high school in Washington, and Haskins missed the last play of his first NFL win last year while taking a photo with a fan in the stands, with a mysterious disease disappeared from practice after being in the bank and broken down in October, twice violating rules of conduct in the midst of a pandemic.
The 23-year-old product in Ohio State said he was not trying to attend his turbulent week of his girlfriend’s birthday party with several people not wearing masks. his play. But he was clearly down in the garbage dumps and discouraged in a video call after the game he made after driving back from the stadium.
“It was definitely the hardest week of my life,” Haskins said. “I will just jump back and go forward, pray and get my life together.”
Washington’s previous regime drafted Haskins 15th overall in 2019, the third QB to be taken after Kyler Murray and Daniel Jones. He ends his time with the organization 3-10 as an appetizer, including 1-5 this season, with 12 touches and 14 interceptions.
The team’s last QB bust in the first round, Robert Griffin III, tweeted Monday: “I wish the best for (Haskins). You are only 23! Learn from this and reflect. ”