Odds to Be Redskins’ Starting QB in Week 1: Keenum Favored, Haskins Given Worst Odds

By Bryan Thiel in NFL Football
Updated: April 6, 2020 at 7:39 am EDTPublished:

- With Alex Smith injured, the Washington Redskins have a QB competition
- Case Keenum is trying to fend off Colt McCoy and rookie Dwayne Haskins
- Who will be the Redskins’ starting quarterback Week 1?
The Washington Redskins’ plan was clear when they drafted Dwayne Haskins 15th overall. He’s their quarterback of the future.
But could he be their QB of the present?
Oddsmakers think there’s a chance, but aren’t quite ready to make him the favorite.
Redskins Week 1 Starting QB Odds
Player | Odds |
---|---|
Case Keenum | +100 |
Colt McCoy | +200 |
Dwayne Haskins | +250 |
*Odds taken 07/30/2019
The three options for the Redskins have vastly different levels of experience.
Case Keenum has bounced around as both a starter and a backup. His best season was two years ago in Minnesota.
The assumption was that he would step in for the injured Alex Smith.
#Redskins Fun Bunch of Training Camp Observations: Quarterbacks (Case Keenum, Colt McCoy, Dwayne Haskins) pic.twitter.com/attOCc5GYp
— Paul Conner (@P_ConnerJr) July 29, 2019
Colt McCoy has the most experience of the three in the Redskins’ system. He’s spent five years in Washington, but has only played in 10 games, starting six.
And then there’s Haskins. As a passer he’s raw. But with rookies you never really know how they’ll fare until they step under center.
And with no preseason games to gauge yet, right now it comes down to the performances during camp.
Dwayne Haskins Gaining Momentum During Training Camp
While there have only been a handful of training camp practices to this point, reports are Haskins has steadily been improving. In fact, he had his best session of the summer while NFL Network was there.
After spending yesterday at the @Redskins training camp, @MikeGarafolo breaks down what he sees with the QB competition.
"Dwayne Haskins had his best day of camp by far." pic.twitter.com/8PT6sRFuko
— Good Morning Football (@gmfb) July 29, 2019
Haskins has also been getting a significant amount of support from the Washington organization. Including from former Redskins’ QB Joe Theismann.
🚨🚨MUST SEE🚨🚨
"This is the first day of your life. Number 7 has never looked so big on somebody" – #Redskins Great Joe Theismann (@Theismann7) on current #7 QB Dwayne Haskins (@dh_simba7) @wusa9 @WUSA9sports pic.twitter.com/hlKWzkQDoe
— Darren M. Haynes (@DarrenMHaynes) July 25, 2019
There’s also one key voice for the Redskins who could clear Haskins’ path to starting.
With Jay Gruden on the Bubble, Dwayne Haskins Could Save His Job
NFL.com’s Marc Sessler looked at the league’s rookie signal callers recently, positioning who could start right away.
Here’s what he said about Haskins:
“Gruden’s future seems shaky at best…tying himself to an intriguing rookie could be just what the doctor ordered.”
The logic there makes sense. If Haskins keeps improving, Gruden won’t make any headway by riding Case Keenum.
Haskins would be his ride or die.
Will Dwayne Haskins Be the Redskins’ Week 1 Starter?
While the evidence we have leaves the competition up in the air, he’s trending in the right direction.
"I just want to be able to be a leader when I'm out there, whether I'm starting or not." Dwayne Haskins had his best day of camp Sunday. Just a good day, or has he turned a corner? @CraigHoffman explores that question: https://t.co/scv0tHt0kL pic.twitter.com/e5cfkfOmjy
— 106.7 The Fan (@1067theFan) July 30, 2019
And if Gruden wants to save his job? Sessler is bang on in saying Haskins should be there under center in Week 1.
Haskins has the confidence he needs to walk into the starter’s gig. And the odds offer good value early on in the process.
The Pick: Dwayne Haskins (+250)

Sports Writer
Bryan has spent the last decade working in the sports industry. From the sidelines in the OHL and Rugby League to behind the scenes at TSN, Bryan has a wealth of experience with a soft spot for props and parlays.