USA TODAY Sports
Ron Rivera finally said what everyone has always known: Dwayne Haskins’ work ethic and commitment were problems. These problems were taken into account so that Haskins was ignored and eventually released.
In a podcast interview with Colin Cowherd, the Washington coach spoke about Haskins’ troubled management on the team. Washington cut the defender after just two seasons and 13 games, and Haskins signed with the Steelers on 21 January.
“You know what? I tried to come to terms with him,” Rivera told Cowherd, via Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post. “He is a very talented player. He has an NFL arm, a legitimate arm, and there is a part of him that he wants, but something keeps getting in the way. I’m not sure what it was, and that was the hard part, because he struggles and then he doesn’t. And you are asking yourself, ‘Where is he? What he is doing?’ You see it there and say ‘OK’, but you don’t see it. So, I think he just needs to prioritize. The boy, as I said, he is talented and, if he ever succeeds, he will make an impact ”.
When Rivera eliminated Haskins after the first four games, he said other quarterbacks in the squad with experience in the system gave Washington the best chance of winning the NFC East. (He was right: Kyle Allen and then Alex Smith took Washington to the division title.)
When Smith became the holder in Week 10, Rivera alluded to Haskins’ work ethic.
Haskins had 3-10, completing 60.1 percent of his passes for 2,804 yards with 12 touchdowns and 14 interceptions in his time in Washington.
When Washington chose Haskins with the 15th overall choice in 2019, at the request of owner Dan Snyder, the team thought it had its franchise quarterback. Instead, Washington is back on the drawing board.
Rivera answered Cowherd’s question about what he looks for in a defender by citing resistance, desire to win for teammates and fearlessness. Rivera said she admired Cam Newton’s courage and Smith’s toughness.
Washington will explore “all options” in the quarterback this off-season, after passing Haskins and Smith.
Taylor Heinicke and Allen are coming back.