Redskins should jump on the chance to acquire Josh Rosen
By Ian Cummings
The whispers surrounding a potential Josh Rosen trade have crescendoed into wails, and the Redskins now have a decision to make.
The Washington Redskins have a definite need at quarterback, and a need that they are reportedly taking seriously heading into 2019. There is no timetable for Alex Smith‘s return, and while Case Keenum provides insurance at the quarterback position, he is nothing more than a cheap stopgap.
The Redskins can either wait to find a new franchise quarterback, and continue to build their roster, or they can acquire one this offseason, and try to maximize the pieces they have. The aforementioned maximization requires the right player, and the right price, and with the growing availability of Cardinals quarterback Josh Rosen, the Redskins have a chance to get the right player at the right price.
Earlier in the offseason, there were rumors that the Cardinals were considering taking Oklahoma star Kyler Murray at No. 1, effectively making Josh Rosen, their first-round quarterback from 2018, a trade chip. Today, NFL insider Benjamin Allbright brought forth this short, yet powerful tweet, pertaining to the Cardinals’ interest in Murray:
Rotoworld also reported that Josh Rosen was ‘going to be moved‘ and that it was not a matter of if, but a matter of when. Once thought to be nonsensical rumors and smokescreens, it now appears inevitable that Josh Rosen will wear different colors in 2019.
The Redskins should do everything in their power to make sure those colors are burgundy and gold.
Rosen had a rookie season to forget with the Cardinals, but much of that wasn’t his fault. In his rookie season, Rosen was thrown into a very bad situation, and he still flashed his franchise quarterback potential. He’d easily be the best quarterback in the 2019 NFL Draft with his combination of intangibles, arm talent, accuracy, and leadership skills, and on the Redskins, he’d count for very little toward the salary cap.
The Cardinals reportedly want a first-round pick for Rosen, and the Redskins aren’t getting a rookie quarterback any better than Rosen with the No. 15 overall pick. If they prioritize getting their quarterback over building for the future, then trading for Rosen is a move that can potentially fulfill their desires.