The Washington Football Team has begun to cut down their roster from 80 to 53 players on Monday ahead of Tuesday’s 4 PM deadline. The first reported name of releases is quarterback Steven Montez, according to Ben Standig of The Athletic.
The move is not unexpected. Montez was fourth on Washington’s depth chart at quarterback. As an undrafted rookie in 2020, Montez was cut last year and brought back on the practice squad where he started the year. Will that be his same fate this year, if he goes unclaimed through waivers?
Washington appears to be set at quarterback with three. Ryan Fitzpatrick has been named the starter for Week 1. Taylor Heinicke will presumably be second on the depth chart after a solid preseason. Kyle Allen will continue to get back from an ankle injury from last season that knocked him out of the starting role.
Should Washington upgrade their practice squad QB?
Last season, Washington started four different quarterbacks through the regular season and their wild card playoff loss.
Keeping three to four quarterbacks in the organization makes a lot of sense, especially with no long-term option currently on the roster.
But, will Montez be the designated practice squad quarterback? Or will the team seek an upgrade for their QB4?
The answer lies in what will be available after each team makes its final cuts for their 53-man roster. Montez is familiar with offensive coordinator Scott Turner’s system. But he hasn’t made great strides within the offense and remains a couple of steps behind the other QBs.
Remember, Washington signed Heinicke off the streets last year and bumped him ahead of Montez when it was time to move on from the Dwayne Haskins debacle and Alex Smith was injured. Washington added Fitzpatrick this offseason in free agency to start over Heinicke.
Montez was brought back as more of an insurance for Allen, who suffered a dislocated ankle in Week 9 of last year. Allen suffered setback early in training camp that kept him out of the first preseason game. Montez served the purpose of the No. 3 QB. But, with Allen up to par, he bumped Montez back down to fourth.
It was Allen who started Saturday’s preseason finale. So if there is someone that lands on the market that is either better or fortunate enough to be just as familiar with the offensive system, Montez could be on the outside completely.
