Getting shut out and falling to 1-6 on the season isn’t enough to prompt a change at quarterback for the Washington Redskins. Following Sunday’s 9-0 loss to the 49ers, interim coach Bill Callahan said that Case Keenum will remain the team’s starting quarterback, choosing not to turn the page and give rookie Dwayne Haskins an opportunity.
Keenum started the year brightly but has fallen off the rails in recent weeks. During Sunday’s loss to the 49ers that was played in a mini-monsoon, Keenum had just 77 yards passing on 12 passes. Even during Washington’s only win of the season against the Dolphins last week, Keenum only completed 13 of his 25 passes for 166 yards.
“We still have a lot of faith in Case and his ability,” Callahan said after the game.
Of course, Keenum was benched by former coach Jay Gruden during a Week 4 loss to the Giants. Haskins got a chance to play in that game, going 9 for 17 for 107 yards with three interceptions. Colt McCoy got the start the next week in a 33-7 loss to the Patriots before Gruden was fired. Callahan went back to Keenum the following week and doesn’t appear to be in a rush to switch to Haskins, who he believes still has a lot of learning and developing to do before getting his chance.
With the Redskins on a short week, it probably wouldn’t be fair to throw Haskins to the wolves in a road game against the Vikings on Thursday. However, Washington has just two more games before their bye week. That might be the team’s best opportunity to turn things over to Haskins. Until then, Keenum will keep getting opportunities to prove himself and help the Redskins salvage what has been a disastrous season.