Washington Football Team Releases QB Dwayne Haskins


Haskins was the No. 15 overall pick in the 2019 NFL draft.

The Washington Football Team has released quarterback Dwayne Haskins, the team announced.

Haskins, the team's first-round pick in 2019, started 13 games for Washington in two seasons and went 3-10 as a starter. 

"This afternoon I met with Dwayne and informed him that we would be releasing him," head coach Ron Rivera said in a statement. "I told him that I believe it benefits both parties that we go our separate ways. We want to thank Dwayne for his contributions these last two seasons and wish him well moving forward."

Haskins, 23, was the team's starter for the first four games of the 2020-21 NFL season but was demoted before the team's fifth game in lieu of quarterback Kyle Allen.

The Ohio State product was re-promoted later this season and started each of Washington's last two games, both losses, but was relieved on Sunday in the fourth quarter of the Football Team's 20-13 defeat to the Panthers. 

Head coach Ron Rivera said on Monday that Taylor Heinicke will start at quarterback this Sunday against the Eagles if Alex Smith is unable to play. Smith has been dealing with a calf injury in recent weeks.

Last week, Haskins was also stripped of his captainship and fined by the team after a second COVID-19 violation this season. Haskins appeared to have attended a party maskless last week and his $40,000 fine was the largest known fine for a player for a COVID-19 violation, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.

Washington will win the NFC East this Sunday if it is able to beat the Philadelphia Eagles.