The Washington Redskins already have their undisputed starting quarterback with Alex Smith set to take over for the departed Kirk Cousins. And now, they’ve taken care of their backup quarterback situation.
Per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, the Redskins have signed veteran QB Colt McCoy to a one-year, $7 million extension. There are also void and buyback provisions included in the deal, which could still make McCoy a free agent after this season.
At $7 million, McCoy would be one of the highest-paid backup QBs in the entire league. For reference, Jets quarterback Josh McCown, who could be as high as second on the list, is making $10 million.
The 31-year-old McCoy has spent the last four years with the Redskins. He was on the final year of his contract which was scheduled to pay him a base salary of $2.8 million with a $3.6 million cap hit this season.
The University of Texas product has performed well when called upon over his four years in Washington. He’s completed 98 of 139 passes (70.5 percent) for 1,185 yards (8.5 yards per attempt) and five touchdowns against three interceptions.
Unless Smith goes with an injury down over the next two years, McCoy is unlikely to see much of the field for Washington. But in handing McCoy his extension, the Redskins appear to have sufficient confidence in his knowledge of the offense and his overall ability to stand in for the veteran in case of an emergency.
Kevin Hogan is the only other quarterback on the Redskins’ depth chart besides Smith and McCoy.