Throughout training camp, Dwayne Haskins was the clear choice to be named Washington’s starting quarterback. But according to oddsmakers, he might not keep the job for very long.
According to SportsBetting.Ag, Haskins is the favorite to be the first quarterback benched in the NFL this season. The sportsbook has the Washington signal-caller (+150) ahead of passers such as Miami’s Ryan Fitzpatrick (+225), Chicago’s Mitch Trubisky (+250) and the Chargers’ Tyrod Taylor (+500).
This is a pivotal season for Haskins, despite the 23-year-old just entering his second year. The 2019 first-rounder was inconsistent as a rookie, struggling mightily in his first few appearances before coming on strong at the end of the season. Upon being hired, coach Ron Rivera challenged Haskins to improve — even pushing him by trading for Kyle Allen, the former Carolina quarterback who started 12 games in 2019.
Haskins will need to perform well in 2020. In addition to Allen, veteran Alex Smith made the roster almost two years after a horrific leg injury and pundits have wondered if Rivera would turn to the 36-year-old.
SportsBetting.Ag set the over/under for Smith starts at 2½.
Haskins, though, has earned praise from teammates and coaches for the work he’s put in heading into the season, which begins Sunday for Washington against the Philadelphia Eagles.
• Matthew Paras can be reached at mparas@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.