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Washington Football Team Analysis: Running backs and quarterbacks

By Ken Johannesen

LANDOVER, MD - OCTOBER 25: Antonio Gibson #24 of the Washington Football Team looks on before the game while wearing a helmet decal reading "It Takes All of Us" against the Dallas Cowboys at FedExField on October 25, 2020 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD - OCTOBER 25: Antonio Gibson #24 of the Washington Football Team looks on before the game while wearing a helmet decal reading "It Takes All of Us" against the Dallas Cowboys at FedExField on October 25, 2020 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /
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Washington Football Team helmet. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Washington Football Team helmet. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /

The Washington Football Team was plagued by poor quarterback performances and a lack of depth at running back in 2020, but 2021 could bring significant improvements.

Following the 2020 season, the Washington Football Team’s most pressing need was arguably at quarterback.  Alex Smith retired from the sport and last year’s starter on opening day is no longer with the team.  The mid-season starter went down with a season-ending injury and an unknown played the last game of the season.  Somehow, the Burgundy and Gold won the NFC East, but the final regular season record was 7-9.  It was time to find solutions.

The running backs enjoyed a solid season, but lack of depth hindered their full potential in 2020.  A nagging turf toe injury to the starter left the team with few options late in the season and it nearly cost the team a division title.  The designated third-down running back was nothing more than a goal line and short-yardage ace.  Washington went into the 2021 offseason with a huge need for a relief/third down back.

After a lengthy hiatus in our off-season evaluations of each unit on defense and offense, we now return to the final installment with a look at the running backs and quarterbacks for 2021.  What can we expect from these two units this year and how much improvement will we see on the football field?  Both positions were fortified in recent months and now it is time to take a look at the potential impacts in the coming months.  Will the low-cost options prove to be a frugal investment or provide us with a measure of false hope?  It’s time to predict what could happen with these two units this fall.

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