Redskins: Three positions to avoid spending big on in free agency
By Ian Cummings
No. 2 – Quarterback
After trading for former Broncos quarterback Case Keenum, the Redskins don’t have as immediate a need at quarterback. The need is still fairly immediate, but with a stopgap starter in place, the Redskins don’t need to have a knee-jerk reaction in the form of a destructive, cumbersome free agent acquisition.
Overpaying for any quarterback in the free agent market in 2019 would be foolish for the Redskins. The Redskins have seen first-hand what hefty quarterback guarantees can do to a roster’s flexibility, and they will continue to learn as Alex Smith’s contract runs its course.
Luckily for the Redskins, they don’t need to overpay for a quarterback. Not anymore. Not after trading for Case Keenum.
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Whatever you think of Keenum, the Redskins made a logical move by trading for the veteran and shaving his cap hit. Now, Keenum, who’s under contract for only 2019, gives Washington’s quarterback room insurance, at the low price of $3.5 million.
Keenum’s not a quarterback one can necessarily win with, but he saves the Redskins from falling victim to their own bad habits, especially in a year where the best free agent quarterbacks could consist of Ryan Tannehill (disgraced starter), Ryan Fitzpatrick (journeyman starter every other week), Nick Foles (starter only in January), and Teddy Bridgewater, who may not even be a quality starter.
With Keenum, the Redskins keep their options open, and they no longer have to feel inclined to add an expensive free agent on the market. Because of the trade for Keenum, overpaying for another veteran quarterback in a week should be the last thing on the Redskins agenda.