Redskins WR Josh Doctson candid about situation, future with Redskins

Much has been made of what Josh Doctson’s future with the Redskins might entail. But Doctson himself is paying no mind to it.

Josh Doctson, drafted No. 22 overall in the 2016 NFL Draft by the Washington Redskins, hasn’t amounted to the lofty expectations that were thrust upon him. His flashes have been bright, quick glimpses of the rare athletic talent he possesses. But those flashes have been few and far between. Between injuries, inconsistent quarterback play, and inefficient use, Doctson’s early career has been mangled beyond repair.

Of course, to call Doctson a bust, at this point, would be a misnomer. At 26 years old, he still has time to unlock his potential, and he certainly has the natural ability. If it does happen, however, it will most likely be with another team. In a recent piece by ESPN’s John Keim, Doctson said as much about his future with the Redskins. He’s come to expect nothing over his time in D.C. It’s easier that way.

“I think I’m hitting free agency next year,” Doctson exclaimed in Keim’s piece. “I won’t be the first, won’t be the last. It’s nothing to be sad about, [or] be mad about. Someone wants you there, so it’s all love.”

When asked whether he would use his current situation as motivation, Doctson had this to say:

“No, because that would mean it would have gotten to me and I’d feel some type of way. There’s no motivation. I’m not trying to prove nothing to nobody. Just trying to get chemistry with the quarterbacks.”

Out of context, those words constitute a red flag. But Doctson’s statements don’t come with a tinge of indifference. Instead, there’s contentment. Doctson isn’t worried about what he’s perceived to be. He’s simply focused on maximizing the opportunity he has in his final season with the Redskins. His role may be diminished, given the crowded nature of the receiving room. But come March of 2020, someone will be willing to take a chance on Doctson. And that’s all he needs.

For Doctson, a clean slate might be best, and the TCU product appears to be resolved with that fact. While the circumstances never coalesced in Doctson’s favor in Washington, he also had opportunities to set himself apart, and he ultimately didn’t. Doctson, in this sense, is an anomaly; so late in his career, no one knows what he can become, in the right situation. Perhaps, in 2020, we will find out. But 2019 is not a year of new heights for Doctson. For him, the wait only continues. A necessary wait.