Everyone is aware of just how bad the NFC East is this season, including one of the franchises in it. The Washington Football Team is benching quarterback Dwayne Haskins for Kyle Allen, in hopes of making a push to the top of a historically horrific division.
Washington (1-3) sees the Eagles (1-2-1) atop the standings and has eschewed the potential development of Haskins, the 15th overall pick in the 2019 draft, in favor of Allen, who followed new head coach Ron Rivera from Carolina this offseason.
Haskins has certainly struggled, sporting an 80.3 passer rating through four games. Ironically, that number is better than two of the other starting quarterbacks in the division, Carson Wentz (66.9) and Daniel Jones (68.3).
Stay in the game with the latest updates on your beloved Philadelphia sports teams! Sign up here for our All Access Daily newsletter.
Yet Haskins is the one who will be holding a clipboard, being demoted all the way to third string behind Allen and Alex Smith.
Allen’s first test will be the Rams on Sunday. He started 12 games in place of an injured Cam Newton a season ago for the Panthers, going 5-7, which in part led to Rivera’s dismissal after the season. Allen has a history of beating out the competition. At Texas A&M, he won the starting job over Kyler Murray, who eventually transferred to Oklahoma, won the Heisman and was the first overall pick by the Cardinals and won Rookie of the Year last season.
With Haskins under center, Washington beat the Eagles in the season opener 27-17 for their lone win. The two teams don’t meet again until Week 17 in Philadelphia.