Redskins expected to start Case Keenum to begin 2019, per reports

Per reports, the Redskins are expected to maintain journeyman quarterback Case Keenum as their starter, at least for the beginning of the 2019 regular season.

Much has been made of the Washington Redskins quarterback competition in 2019. At first, it was a three-man race, but recent developments have suggested that Colt McCoy is now out of the conversation. He was deemed not ready for preseason, and now, there are reports that his lack of readiness, due to a lingering leg injury, could extend into the regular season.

Thus, the quarterback battle is now a battle of two: Dwayne Haskins and Case Keenum. Something needs to be made clear; Haskins is the first-round rookie, and he is going to start eventually. Keenum is no more than a bridge at this point, to ease the rookie in if Haskins isn’t ready to start the season.

The preseason isn’t over yet, and there are developments that could occur, in order to change the situation, but as of now, per NFL insider Ian Rapoport, the Redskins are expected to go into the season with Keenum as their starter, and Haskins as the backup.

In the linked video, Rapoport conceded that there was no official announcement from Washington to cite, but that “based on the people he’s spoken to”, indications are pointing toward Keenum as the initial starter. He said that while the Redskins liked what they saw from Haskins in preseason so far, the Ohio State rookie might not be quite ready to take on a starting role just yet.

As you know, I personally disagree with this move, if the report is accurate. I would have liked to at least see Haskins get a shot with the starting offense in Week 3 or Week 4 of preseason before coming to a conclusion, and based on what we’ve seen on the field, Haskins has traits that suggest he would only benefit from more reps. On the flip side, giving Keenum starting reps only withholds opportunities from Haskins.

Haskins moved the offense more efficiently than Keenum in limited action, and both, as newcomers, have had their hiccups while acclimating to the scheme. But there is a lot more that goes into being a starter besides production. If Haskins is deemed unready, it’s not an indictment on his progress, but instead a vote toward Keenum’s NFL experience and his durability, to start the season while Haskins gears up for his eventual debut.

It’s hard to say how long Keenum could start for, if this report ends up coming to fruition. The Redskins have a particularly tough stretch from Week 1 to Week 5, and if they start poorly, Jay Gruden may be out of a job. Keenum is a solid choice to ease Haskins in, but his smooth-sailing offensive style can flat-line without a solid supporting cast. He isn’t the kind of quarterback to win a coach’s job back. If a change were to be made, there’s no telling what would happen next at quarterback.

Given all the uncertainty, looking that far down the road isn’t feasible quite yet. This is not a report confirmed by the team. But for now, it seems, barring any major leaps from Haskins in Weeks 3 and 4 of preseason, that Keenum has the inside track to the starting job in Week 1.