The Washington Redskins have made the expected official. Head coach Jay Gruden announced on Sunday that Case Keenum will be his starter for the Redskins' Week 1 matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles, according to ESPN's John Keim.
Keenum wasn't supposed to be the starter. Colt McCoy had been given the job before training camp, but he suffered a setback to his broken leg. The setback will likely put him out for the first two weeks of the regular season.
As for Dwayne Haskins, Washington is set on developing him behind backups as they build an offense around the former Ohio State Buckeye. He will be the backup to Keenum and will likely play on Thursday for the team's final preseason game.
Gruden named the starter after the team's Week 3 preseason game. Against the Atlanta Falcons, Keenum went 9-for-14 for 101 yards. Haskins, 7-for-13 for 74 yards. Neither threw a touchdown or interceptions. Before the game, Gruden said, via ESPN:
“You might have your general thoughts on who it might be, but if something happens in the preseason game three where you might have to flop them, you never know.”
Though Keenum is the starter, Haskins is the future of the position in Washington. He's okay with not starting, as he understands it's a process. Haskins said, per ESPN:
“It's just going to happen naturally, organically. I had to come to terms with that. Now that I've been here for a little bit, it's like, man, it's a process… By no means am I settling. I know that I want to be great and I know I will be great. It's just that I have to be in a place where I know what I'm doing.”
Haskins may get opportunities to start in the season.
But, for now, Gruden is siding with his veteran.
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