Redskins Position Battles: Colt McCoy vs. Kevin Hogan for backup QB

The Washington Redskins added two new faces to their quarterback room this offseason. One will take over as the starter while the other will challenge the incumbent for the backup quarterback spot.

Over the course of the past five months, the Washington Redskins quarterback room has drastically changed. Once occupied by Kirk Cousins and presumed to be his long-time home, Cousins and the Redskins couldn’t agree on a new contract heading into the 2018 offseason. With a potential gaping hole starting them down, the Redskins brass made a bold move and traded for a new quarterback.

That was Alex Smith. Late in January, the team surrendered star slot cornerback Kendall Fuller and a third-round pick to get the services of the veteran. Smith becoming the starter was a foregone conclusion, and he will certainly be suiting up for the team on opening day.

Behind him, the question is a bit murkier. After the trade for Smith, it was presumed that Colt McCoy would continue in his role as the primary backup. But, the Redskins threatened that assumption by swapping sixth-round picks with the Cleveland Browns to get Kevin Hogan. The former Stanford product has seen some action for the Browns after being a draft pick by the Chiefs, and he undoubtedly has some upside. But beating McCoy could be a tall order for him.

In the 2018 offseason, McCoy and Hogan will fight for the right to be the top backup to Smith. And while the battle could have little impact on the results of the season, it will certainly have an impact on the Redskins future.