Dark horse quarterback who the Washington Football Team should acquire

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New Orleans Saints QB Jameis Winston. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports /

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I think it is highly likely that Washington will sign a veteran free agent QB this off-season, and I think it is highly likely that this QB will be starting come week one. The biggest names – Prescott, Newton, etc. – come with major question marks, and I think it would be a mistake to spend what you will have to spend to sign them.

I don’t see the value in inking one of the old guys – Rivers, Fitzpatrick – whose best days are well behind them. I’ve never been much of an Andy Dalton or Mitch Trubisky fan.

That leaves several possibilities still on the table, and none are all that exciting. Of them, my first choice, were he available, would be Jameis Winston. I realize there’s a pretty big percentage of fandom that thinks Winston is downright bad. The 30 interceptions in 2019 are strong evidence of that.

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I may be in a minority of one here, but I don’t think interception totals by themselves are all that telling. Unless your name is Aaron Rodgers, chances are you are going to throw some interceptions as an NFL quarterback. What matters is how many touchdowns you generate to offset those interceptions.

Winston is a talented, reckless quarterback. He has more raw ability than almost every other quarterback who may be available this off-season, and you have to at least think about him. The problem is, I don’t think he’s leaving New Orleans. I suspect he has been sitting on the bench this season fairly confident that he will take over a very good team when Drew Brees retires.

The classic stopgap place holder, as far as I’m concerned, would be Jacoby Brissett. Brissett would be cheap. He has been durable throughout his career and he has been the textbook definition of serviceable. I could certainly see Washington bringing him on to be a caretaker for several years as they work out their next move.

But after watching what Heinicke was able to do against Tampa, it became clear to me that Tyrod Taylor is the man for the job.

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