Despite placing quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick on injured reserve, the Washington Football Team has no plans to bring in any additional quarterbacks.
Fitzpatrick suffered a hip subluxation when he took a big hit from Los Angeles Chargers outside linebacker Uchenna Nwosu in the second quarter Sunday. Fitzpatrick left the game and did not return. He is expected to miss six-to-eight weeks, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Speculation grew about Washington entertaining the thought of bringing in Cam Newton immediately after Fitzpatrick’s injury. Newton spent nearly 10 seasons with Washington head coach Ron Rivera while the two were with the Carolina Panthers.
Together, they led the Panthers to a Super Bowl 50 appearance with Newton winning the NFL MVP that season. However, the pairing soured in the years following that magical 2015 season. Ultimately, Rivera was fired during the 2019 season. Newton was released the following off-season.
Rivera has passed on Newton at every chance since coming to Washington. That included this off-season when Washington was in need of a QB, and Newton was a free agent.
In fact, Rivera brought in a pair of Newton’s backups in Carolina — Taylor Heinicke and Kyle Allen. Heinicke will start in Washington’s next game Thursday night against the New York Giants. Allen, who started four games last season, will serve as the backup.
Meanwhile Newton spent the 2020 season with the New England Patriots. However, he was released during final cuts after being beat out by rookie Mac Jones for starting quarterback. But there still won’t be a reunion with Rivera in store.
There is a lot of excitement in Washington, including among the players, for Heinicke to get another opportunity to start under center. He wowed observers with his gallant effort in Washington’s playoff loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last January.
Allen is quite familiar with the offense as well and played well in 2020 before a gruesome ankle injury ended his season. So it’s understandable for Rivera to have confidence in Heinicke and Allen over bringing in another quarterback, especially one as polarizing as Newton.
Washington signed Kyle Shurmur to the practice squad Monday. There are no plans of adding any more quarterbacks to the room. Newton will have to cross off Washington as a possible landing spot, at least for now.
