Dwayne Haskins goes unclaimed on waivers

Dwayne Haskins went unclaimed on waivers Tuesday after Washington released the quarterback a day earlier — making the 23-year-old a free agent. 

The NFL’s 31 other teams chose not to claim the two years left on Haskins’ contract after this season, which would have paid him $1.8 million in 2021 and $2.5 million in 2022.  A team would also have been on the hook for $68,000 in 2020. 

By becoming a free agent, Haskins will have a say in his next destination — if a team offers him a contract.

That, of course, is no guarantee as the 2019 first-rounder has dealt with multiple off the field issues that contributed to his release. Last week, he was fined $40,000 for violating the NFL’s COVID-19 protocols after he was caught partying indoors without a mask. 

Washington coach Ron Rivera said often that Haskins had NFL-level arm talent, but needed to “put it all together” in order to become a successful quarterback. Haskins’ preparation with Washington was repeatedly questioned, a contributing factor for why Rivera benched him after a 1-3 start in October. 

In an interview with WUSA9, Haskins said Monday that he hopes to get another opportunity.

“I definitely feel like I have the skills to play quarterback at a high level in the NFL,” Haskins said. “And that’s just something I need someone to believe in me and give me the opportunity and I have to earn that. I have to work for that. By no means will it be easy, and I’m definitely willing to put the work in to earn that whether that’s right away or in the future.

“(I) just love playing football, I love the game and I’ve dedicated my life to this and even if there was a question about it before, I will end those questions later.” 

Washington released Haskins on Monday, a day after Haskins was benched in a 20-13 loss to the Carolina Panthers. Haskins went 14 of 28 for 154 yards and two interceptions before being pulled in the fourth quarter. Without Haskins,  the team will rely on Alex Smith, Taylor Heinicke and Steven Montez at the position.

In 16 career game, Haskins threw just 12 touchdowns to 14 interceptions and was 3-10 as a starter. 

Haskins said he has to be accountable for his actions. The partying incident was the quarterback’s second protocol violation. In October, he was fined for trying to book a room for a family friend at the team hotel during a road trip.  

“I have no doubt in my mind that I can overcome this, grow and become a better person, a better athlete, a better quarterback and a better leader because of this,” Haskins said. “That’s something I’m praying and working on to show.

“I’m hoping that a new change in scenery will help with that.”