Quarterbacks that Washington Football Team can add to replace Dwayne Haskins
Free-agent options
It’s rare that big-name quarterbacks actually get to the market, but there are some intriguing options that could be available this year. The only potential franchise quarterback probably won’t be available though, so we’re talking more about veteran stopgaps or upside plays at this point.
Here are the names to keep an eye on.
Dak Prescott, Cowboys. Some Washington fans have their eyes on Prescott as a potential free-agent signee this year. Prescott was on pace for a ridiculous 5,939 passing yards, 29 touchdowns, and 13 picks before he suffered a compound ankle fracture and dislocation.
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As appealing as Prescott, 27, may seem after his solid production with the Cowboys, he’s not coming to Washington. The Cowboys won’t let him go unless he’s massively overpaid and Washington shouldn’t massively overpay a QB coming off a major injury. It’s simply too risky with two other injured quarterbacks, Smith and Allen, on the roster.
Philip Rivers, Colts. Rivers is 39, so this would just be a one-year Band-Aid in the hopes that he could bridge the gap between a draft pick and the present. Rivers has been strong behind the Colts’ great offensive line this season, but he probably won’t leave Indy at this point. He’ll either re-up there for another year or retire.
Jacoby Brissett, Colts. Brissett led the Colts to a 7-8 record in 15 starts during the 2019 season. He didn’t turn the ball over much and he is mobile, but he didn’t make many big plays in the passing game. He’s a functional game-manager, so he should be considered, but the 28-year-old’s spotty accuracy may scare the team off.
Mitchell Trubisky, Bears. Trubisky has been the butt of many jokes during his NFL career, but his late-season performance has actually been solid. Is it sustainable? That’s the big question, but the team could certainly do worse than him on a one-year, “prove it” deal. Trubisky is similar skill-wise to Brissett but is oxymoronically both more accurate and more turnover-prone.
Cam Newton, Patriots. Newton has looked done for most of the year, but perhaps Ron Rivera will bring back his former top quarterback with the Panthers. Newton is better served as a stopgap starter and backup at this point given his injury history and inaccuracy, so he’s not a great choice for Washington. Let him go to an established QB room as a true backup.
Ryan Fitzpatrick, Dolphins. Fitzpatrick has been one of the better bridge quarterbacks in the NFL for some time now. He could fill that role for one year in Washington and help mentor a successor, as he has been doing with Tua Tagovailoa in Miami.
Andy Dalton, Cowboys. Dalton is the definition of a functional starter. He’s probably a low-end starting option and a high-end backup, but having him aboard to compete wouldn’t be a bad move. He probably wouldn’t move the needle, though.
Jameis Winston, Saints. Here’s a real Wild Card. How much has Winston improved with the Saints? It’s hard to know. Taysom Hill started when Drew Brees was out for four games, but Winston was effective in limited run replacing Brees when he first went down. Winston could be worth a flier if he’s willing to leave the Saints program. That could depend on whether or not Brees retires and whether or not Hill is promised the starting job.