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Following an embarrassing 40-16 loss to the New York Giants, Washington Redskins head coach Jay Gruden wasted no time naming Josh Johnson as the starting quarterback for Week 15 against the Jacksonville Jaguars, per JP Finlay of NBC Sports Washington.
Mark Sanchez made his first start since 2016 and completed 6-of-14 passes for 38 yards and two interceptions, including a pick-six. He was also sacked five times and had several passes tipped.
After falling behind 40-0 in the third quarter, Gruden turned to Johnson to spell Sanchez. Johnson came in and gave the Redskins a spark despite the outcome of the game being all but decided.
Johnson completed 11-of-16 passes for 195 yards, one touchdown and one interception. He also rushed for a team-high 45 yards and a touchdown. Additionally, he converted a pair of two-point conversions off passes.
Yes, it was against a soft defense, but Johnson made it clear with his ability to get outside the pocket and move the offense with quicker decisions and getting rid of the football, he is the better option of the two quarterbacks currently on the active roster.
Next week against the Jaguars will be Johnson’s first since 2013 when he was with the Cincinnati Bengals. Gruden was his offensive coordinator at the time.
Johnson was signed by the Redskins on Wednesday to backup Sanchez following Colt McCoy suffering a broken fibula last Monday against the Philadelphia Eagles. Gruden praised Johnson’s familiarity with the concepts and languages of the current offensive system in place from his days in Cincinnati.
With his performance against the Giants, Johnson now has six career touchdown passes and 11 interceptions. He has a career record of 0-5 as a starter in the NFL. The Redskins are the 12th team he has been a part in his career.
