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Redskins Week 4 Reality Checks – Is it 2020 Yet?

By Tim Payne

LANDOVER, MD - SEPTEMBER 23: Dwayne Haskins #7 of the Washington Redskins warms up prior to the game against the Chicago Bears at FedExField on September 23, 2019 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD - SEPTEMBER 23: Dwayne Haskins #7 of the Washington Redskins warms up prior to the game against the Chicago Bears at FedExField on September 23, 2019 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images) /
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LANDOVER, MD – SEPTEMBER 23: Dwayne Haskins #7 of the Washington Redskins warms up prior to the game against the Chicago Bears at FedExField on September 23, 2019 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD – SEPTEMBER 23: Dwayne Haskins #7 of the Washington Redskins warms up prior to the game against the Chicago Bears at FedExField on September 23, 2019 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images) /

1. Reality Is: The playoffs aren’t happening, BUT, that doesn’t mean this is a lost season.

There is next to zero chance of a turn-around this season. As I pointed out in my article last week, the Redskins are 0-3, 0-2 in division, 0-2 at home, and 0-3 in conference.

It’s not a matter of optimism vs. pessimism. The Redskins aren’t going to the playoffs.

But there is the opportunity to build toward next year and beyond.

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The young players on this team need experience and reps. Since the win/loss record isn’t going to end up favorable for the Redskins, they should be able to move forward playing young players with upside and, hopefully, getting some value for those players not expected to be in their plans next year. Trent Williams should be traded. Josh Norman should be traded (if there’s anyone out there who will play him in zone), Brandon Scherff should be extended and allowed to heal, and Adrian Peterson should be traded.

I’m not one to advocate for tanking, nor am I in favor of just playing Dwayne Haskins if he’s not ready. But I do think there’s an opportunity to work toward major strides being gained next season, rather than squeezing a couple of meaningless wins out of this year. I do think if the team were to prioritize the future, we’d see Haskins in sooner rather than later, with whatever percentage of the playbook he is ready to run.

Plus, something dramatic needs to be done to get the ship righted for this season…so is a youth movement such a bad idea even if maximizing wins this year is the only goal?

Prediction: The team will do none of what I’m suggesting, but will rather coach and play with one game at a time in view, leading to yet another mediocre season that doesn’t force the desperation required for the necessary sweeping changes to be made.

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