Truth or smokescreen, rumors continue to link the Washington Redskins with Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. Since head coach Ron Rivera confirmed the team would meet with Tagovailoa along with expected first overall pick Joe Burrow at the NFL Scouting Combine, the rumors have circulated.
They’ve revved up since a Michael Silver reported the Redskins drafting Tagovailoa with the second overall was a “very real” possibility. Now, Safid Deen of the South Florida Sun Sentinel adds to the rumor mill stating, Tagovailoa was told Rivera wants to draft him to compete with Dwayne Haskins for starting quarterback.
New coach Ron Rivera told Tagovailoa he wants to bring him to Washington to compete with second-year quarterback Dwayne Haskins during their meeting at the NFL combine, a source told the South Florida Sun Sentinel.
âThey felt like Dwayne was not the guy right now,â the source said. âThey want to bring in Tua, just get it going and compete.â
However, two parts of Deen’s report have already been dispelled by Redskins’ insiders.
According to JP Finlay of NBC Sports Washington, Rivera was not in the Redskins’ meeting with Tagovailoa. Then, Matthew Paras of the Washington Times said a source said Haskins’ name was never mentioned during the meeting, however, there was talk of a competition.
Welcome to draft season.
Drafting Tagovailoa to compete with Haskins is what ESPN draft guru Mel Kiper suggested earlier this week. Rivera has stated he wants competition for Haskins going into next season. Yet, he has hinted towards a veteran not another first-round pick.
No one outside of the Redskins organization truly knows what the truth is. However, Rivera has certainly accomplished the goal of drawing chatter and intrigue regarding the No. 2 overall pick.
If the Redskins want to receive trade offers from teams wanting to trade up to draft Tagovailoa, these rumors and reports are perfect. With the draft more than a month away, there are sure to be more surrounding Washington’s intentions.
