Lost in the headline of the Denver Broncos releasing 2016 first-round pick Paxton Lynch, is the fact he was cut to make room for the Broncos claiming quarterback Kevin Hogan.
Hogan was released by the Washington Redskins on Saturday. Hogan was a practice squad candidate for the Redskins, however, the Broncos swooped in to claim him. It’s the second straight year the Redskins have lost a quarterback to waivers with practice squad eligibility. Washington cut Nate Sudfeld in 2017, however, the Philadelphia Eagles claimed him off waivers signed Sudfeld to their practice squad.
It’s a risky move as always when cutting a quarterback in today’s NFL that’s a QB driven league. But with roster spots are at a premium with just 53 spots and 46 for the active game day rosters. A lot of teams, such as the Redskins, opt for two quarterbacks on the 53-man roster.
For Washington, they have Alex Smith written in at starter and Colt McCoy locked at backup after signing an extension before the preseason. A thumb injury to McCoy in the third preseason game put some intrigue on how the Redskins may have proceeded with Hogan in terms of the Week 1 53-man roster, however, his release signals McCoy will be fine.
Coincidentally, Hogan completed 7-of-9 passes for 88 yards and two touchdowns against the Broncos in the third preseason game of the season. In that game Lynch was 3-of-7 for 39 yards.
Hogan, a McLean, Virginia native, starred at Gonzaga College High School in Washington, D.C. before starring at Stanford in college where he won three Pac-12 championships. Hogan was a fifth-round pick of the Kansas City Chiefs in 2016 and appeared in eight games in two seasons with the Cleveland Browns before signing with the Redskins this off-season.
Hogan has potential as he displayed this preseason with the Redskins. Hogan completed 43-of-67 passes (64.1%) for 462 yards five touchdowns and two interceptions through this year’s preseason.
The Redskins announced the signing of eight players to their practice squad, none of which were a quarterback. They have two spots currently opened for the practice squad with thought they’d more than likely add a quarterback at some point.
