“the hardest week of my life”–Dwayne Haskins former WFT quarterback

Dwayne Haskins was released from the Washington Football Team. This was after he was benched for Taylor Heinicke, who was signed to the practice squad less than a month ago. Let that sink in, the 15th overall pick of the 2019 draft was benched for an ex-XFL player who was studying for a final at Old Dominion when called by the WFT. And Haskins was outplayed by Heinicke.

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Let’s not get twisted.  If Haskins had performed anywhere close to his 2018 season at Ohio State University, where he threw for 50 touchdowns on eight interceptions, he would still be a quarterback for the WFT.  If he had managed to “live up” to the potential of his “strong-arm”, then he would still be a member of the WFT.  

But Haskins never did and maybe never could.  He started only 14 games at Ohio State before surprisingly declaring for the draft.  The scouts and coaches in Washington were against drafting him 15th overall.  The majority owner, Dan Snyder wanted him.  Haskins did after all have a strong arm and was a local hero.  He was a three-time star at Bullis High School, presumably where Snyder’s son attends.  

So they drafted him overall 15th in the 2019 NFL Draft.  And when it was clear that the 2019 season was done, Haskins was put in as a starter.  As a starter in the 2019 season, Haskins went 2-6.  The coach was fired. Ron Rivera was hired.  

Haskins started the 2020 season.  He was replaced after the team suffered a 17-31 loss to the Baltimore Ravens.  In that game, Haskins passed for 314 yards, the first 300-plus passing game of his career.  There were reports that he was celebrating this singular feat in the locker room after the loss.  The next day he was demoted to third-string.   

So hours after suffering a 15-20 loss to the Seattle Seahawks, Haskins was pictured at the birthday party of his girlfriend, complete with strippers and him without a mask.  He was fined $40,000 by the WFT for breaking Covid-19, protocol and was demoted from being a team captain.  This was his second infraction against the Covid protocols.  

Then against the Carolina Panthers, he threw two interceptions, had a fumble, and completed only 14-of-28 passes before being replaced by Heinicke.  Heinicke finished the game 12-of-19, for 137 yards, one touchdown, and with a 102.3 QBR.  

Haskins has played 15 games over two seasons.  His total QBR is 29.4 in a time span where the league average is 63.5.  

For his tenure in Washington, Haskins was 3-10, with 2804 passing yards, 12 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions.  

So if he thought this was “the hardest week of his life”, he hasn’t been paying attention.  

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