Dwayne Haskins may be the Washington Redskins’ starting quarterback heading into training camp, but recently acquired Kyle Allen expects to compete for the QB1 position.
Speaking with reporters on a conference call, Allen relayed his presumptions after speaking with the Redskins new coaching staff.
“The expectation is to come in and compete for the job,” Allen said per ESPN’s John Keim. “That’s an awesome opportunity.”
Since being hired in January, Redskins head coach Ron Rivera has constantly spoke about having a competition at quarterback for Haskins.
Washington traded for Kyle Allen last week, sending the Carolina Panthers a fifth-round pick in exchange. Rivera coached Allen the past two seasons there.
Allen said he was surprised he was traded as he had just sign his one-year contract with the Panthers just two weeks prior.
Allen started 12 games for Carolina in the wake of Cam Newton’s foot injury. He won his first four starts before the Panthers struggled down the stretch losing seven of his last eight starts.
He completed 62 percent of his passes for 3,222 yards, 17 touchdowns and 16 interceptions.
During that time Redskins offensive coordinator Scott Turner was his quarterbacks coach before being promoted to the Panthers offensive coordinator firing the Week 13 firing of Rivera.
“I think the continuity with the system is huge for me, and I think it’s going to be big for the team too,” Allen said per Michael Phillips of Richmond Times-Dispatch. “If we don’t have a lot of OTAs or don’t have OTAS at all, it gives at least someone on the team a chance with experience in the system to be able to teach it to the other guys and the offense. Relay what the coaches are saying and just kind of teach the offense to everyone and teach the language.
Allen said he has had limited contact with Haskins, but the two have exchanged text messages since the trade.
Allen said there's been "limited contact" with Dwayne Haskins, but he said they have texted back and forth. Added he's ready to compete.
— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) March 31, 2020
All indications point to the Redskins wanting Haskins to assert himself as the starting quarterback. However, they have acquired a young, 24-years old quarterback in Allen that has starting experience and familiarity with Turner and the incoming offensive system.
