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Backup caliber quarterbacks making Championship games shouldn’t impact Redskins’ decision at quarterback

By Jacob Camenker

PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 13: Quarterback Nick Foles #9 of the Philadelphia Eagles looks to pass against the Atlanta Falcons during the first half in the NFC Divisional Playoff game at Lincoln Financial Field on January 13, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 13: Quarterback Nick Foles #9 of the Philadelphia Eagles looks to pass against the Atlanta Falcons during the first half in the NFC Divisional Playoff game at Lincoln Financial Field on January 13, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /
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The Washington Redskins are trying to answer a question at the quarterback position. While keeping Kirk Cousins may not be the best in the long term, starting a backup caliber quarterback shouldn’t be considered a top option.

Right now, the NFL is entering an interesting period. While quarterback is considered to be the most important position on a team, the increasing value of contracts at the position coupled with the restraints of the salary cap is making it harder to field a potentially great NFL team. Building through the draft is the best way to avoid this cap conundrum, but sometimes it’s unavoidable.

In the case of Kirk Cousins, the Redskins have to make a decision about whether or not to pay a player who has made the playoffs once a deal that will be worth more than $25 million annually. It’s truly a hard choice to make, as they have no true succession option. But one thing is certain. If they try to go into the year with a backup caliber quarterback as their starter, it could come back to bite them.

I’m obviously talking about Colt McCoy in this scenario. McCoy is a terrific backup, but he’s never been a good starter during his eight year NFL career. Further complicating the matter is that he’s thrown just 11 passes in the past three years, so his current ability is unknown. For that reason, relying on him as a starter is a risk.

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That said, some may see the team’s currently in the AFC and NFC Championship games and think that quarterback play doesn’t matter as much as people believe. After all, Nick Foles and Blake Bortles got their teams to these contests, so how hard would it be for McCoy to do the same? The answer is that it would be very hard.

Bortles’ Jaguars are a team that is built with a strong run game and an elite defense. The Jaguars rank No. 2 in both yardage allowed and scoring defense in 2017, and they were also second in sacks with a whopping 55. “Sacksonville” doesn’t rely on Bortles, a decidedly below average starting quarterback, to do very much. In fact, all they needed him to do in the first two playoff games was complete 53 percent of his passes for 301 yards and two scores. So long as he doesn’t turn the ball over, the defense and run game can do the rest.

Meanwhile, for the Eagles, Foles had a very solid start to the postseason. In Philadelphia’s 15-10 win, Foles completed 23-of-30 passes for 246 yards. He didn’t turn the ball over or throw a touchdown. That said, Foles also benefits a top three scoring defense that bent but didn’t break against the Falcons. Additionally, his assortment of offensive weapons at receiver, tight end, and running back allowed him to have open receivers early and often.

Of course, it’s also worth noting that Carson Wentz really carried the Eagles to the No. 1 seed. As NBC Sports Washington’s Rich Tandler pointed out, without Wentz, the Eagles probably aren’t even in position to be in the playoffs, let alone be hosting a playoff game. So, that’s definitely something to keep in mind as well. The Eagles are normally carried by an MVP caliber quarterback and an elite defense. Not Foles.

You could also make a case that Case Keenum, a backup entering the year, isn’t the catalyst for the Vikings team. He has a great offensive line, some nice receivers, a few solid running backs (though Dalvin Cook is hurt), and the league’s No. 1 defense to help carry him. That said, I do believe that right now, Keenum is a better quarterback than both Bortles and Foles. Still, entrusting a guy like Keenum to carry a differently built team may not work out as well. And also, Keenum’s Vikings aren’t through yet, though they are currently ahead against the Saints.

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In short, the point is that expecting McCoy to come in and get the team to the playoffs is a lot to ask. The Redskins could use their cap room to get McCoy some weapons, but the fact of the matter is that they have a lot more holes than the teams who have gotten this far with low-end starters and backups at the position. The Redskins can try to patch all their holes with money that would otherwise would go to Cousins, but that still wouldn’t guarantee that McCoy would be successful enough to lead the team to the NFC Championship.

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