The Redskins need a lot of help to become a Super Bowl contender, but combining Urban Meyer and Dwayne Haskins would be a great first step.
For much of the 2019 regular season the Redskins have looked like the very definition of dysfunction. Fortunately for fans in the nation’s capitol, the franchise is not entirely bereft of hope for the future.
Fixing the mess in Washington isn’t going to be easy for any potential head coach, but the recent emergence of Dwayne Haskins as a promising quarterback of the future drastically changes the complexion of the Redskins’ future. The former Ohio State star struggled to adjust to the speed of the NFL game early in his rookie season, but he’s started to look more and more comfortable in recent weeks.
Admittedly, the Redskins aren’t getting a ton of respect from their opponents lately, but it’s worth noting that Haskins did look very good in the team’s most recent game against the Eagles. Philadelphia, of course, is locked in one of the league’s most contentious playoff races. They certainly prepared for Haskins with a great deal of energy and attention.
The biggest key for the future of both Haskins and the Redskins will be the selection of the team’s next head coach. Ironically, the decision makers in Washington may choose to employ a coach who is very familiar with their rookie signal caller. His collegiate coach, Urban Meyer, was spotted in the Redskins’ ownership box on Sunday.
Meyer is the coach who helped Haskins become a legitimate first round draft pick. The way he helped his young quarterback develop over the course of his career at Ohio State shows that he understands how not to overwhelm Haskins. That’s an easy mistake for any new head coach to make with an inexperienced quarterback.
Hiring Meyer to reunite with Haskins represents the best case scenario for the team’s franchise quarterback. There are legitimate questions about how Meyer might adjust to the professional game, but that shouldn’t stop Washington for rolling the dice on his services. His offensive philosophy is much closer to the professional game than a lot of college coaches who’ve made the transition in previous years. Simply put, he isn’t another Steve Spurrier. Any Redskins fan who is concerned about that comparison should dismiss the idea entirely.
If the Redskins want to get their franchise back on track there should be no greater priority than doing everything within their power to make Haskins successful. Hiring Meyer is the best way to make him comfortable and give him a platform for stardom. If the Redskins do successfully lure Meyer out of quasi-retirement, they could be in contention for an NFC East title sooner than the experts think.