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Breaking down the Redskins’ quarterback depth chart for 2019

By Jacob Camenker

ARLINGTON, TEXAS - NOVEMBER 22: Colt McCoy #12 of the Washington Redskins looks to pass against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on November 22, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - NOVEMBER 22: Colt McCoy #12 of the Washington Redskins looks to pass against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on November 22, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images) /
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DENVER, CO – DECEMBER 30: Quarterback Case Keenum #4 of the Denver Broncos passes against the Los Angeles Chargers in the second half of a game at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on December 30, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO – DECEMBER 30: Quarterback Case Keenum #4 of the Denver Broncos passes against the Los Angeles Chargers in the second half of a game at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on December 30, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) /

Top Backups/Spot Starters: QBs Case Keenum and Colt McCoy

It’s important to note that I am including “spot starters” in this category. There is an important reason for this. In the event that Haskins isn’t quite ready for NFL action in the first month of the season, either Keenum or McCoy could hold the fort for a month or so until the ‘Skins are comfortable starting Haskins.

Is that likely? Probably not. But still, it is certainly a possibility.

After last season’s quarterback debacle, the ‘Skins seemingly wanted to add more depth to the position. They did that by drafting Haskins, but acquiring Keenum was a smart, cheap move as well. With Keenum in the fold, the team now has a veteran who has made 39 starts over the course of the past three seasons. He found immense success in Minnesota, but he struggled a bit last year in his lone year in Denver. He was still a fairly accurate playmaker. He just happened to struggle with turnovers (15 interceptions).

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Still, in the right system, Keenum could be a solid starter and could lead a team to the postseason. After all, he got the Vikings to an NFC Championship Game. Of course, that was with a loaded roster and Washington may lack the offensive weapons needed to be a true playoff contender, but Keenum could give them a steady, starting presence if Haskins isn’t ready or gets hurt. That is extremely valuable to have.

On the other side of the coin, McCoy is a nice player to have as well. He has four years of experience in Jay Gruden’s system and when he has been on the field, he has been a solid quarterback. He doesn’t have the same proven success as Keenum, but he did prove that he could help the team win a game, as he did last year when taking over for an injured Alex Smith against the Houston Texans.

McCoy’s biggest issue is injury troubles of his own. He has had multiple surgeries this offseason to deal with a broken leg he suffered against the Philadelphia Eagles last year. With two new passers in the fold, Washington can take their time in letting McCoy come back. And if he makes the roster, which he likely will, his accuracy (68.1 percent completion rate with the Redskins) will make him a composed, accurate quarterback who will take some risks but can win games.

Both Keenum and McCoy have the skill sets needed to be top backups and spot starters in the NFL. They have proven that, and that type of veteran depth will be crucial to this young, work-in-progress ‘Skins offense.

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