Looking into the offseason, it’s a time of reflection on the history of a franchise and the Washington Commanders have plenty of history to review. Especially when it comes to players that they’ve given up on too soon.
There are at least three players that the franchise gave up on too early on in their respective careers. The reasons why it was too early to give up on these players vary, but Washington gave up too early regardless.
3 players the Washington Commanders gave up on way too early: Dwayne Haskins
Let’s start with the most recent example, Dwayne Haskins. The whole situation surrounding Haskins put him at a disadvantage from the start. He was drafted 15th overall in the 2019 draft at a time when the franchise was in turmoil.
Former head coach Jay Gruden was on the hot seat and was in his last offseason as the then-Washington Redskins head coach. Gruden was trying to save his job and playing a rookie with little college experience was against his best interest. It also didn’t help that selecting Haskins felt like a Dan Snyder move.
Haskins need at minimum a season if not more sitting on the bench and he ended up starting seven games where he went 2-5. He also started six games the next year where he went 1-5. It didn’t help that Haskins’ struggled off the field being in his hometown, but the franchise gave up on the then 23-year-old too early.
In 10 games, Haskins had 2,804 yards passing, 60.1 percent completion percentage, 12 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions. The stats aren’t impressive but he did show flashes of real potential and to be fair to him, the roster wasn’t constructed great at that point.
There was a chance to develop him properly if the club was patient. He ended up joining the Pittsburgh Steelers, but he never played a snap due to his untimely passing in a vehicular-related accident.
3 players the Washington Commanders gave up on way too early: Desmond Howard
Back in the 1992 NFL Draft, the Washington Commanders, then known as the Washington Redskins, selected wide receiver Desmond Howard with the fourth overall pick. Howard was the Heisman Trophy winner due to his receiving skills and his ability to return the ball.
However, he struggled early on in his career with Washington. While it’s true that Howard had his best single season in receiving yards with 40 catches, 727 yards, and five touchdowns. Despite that being his best statistical season as a receiver he could never find his grove in that role. He made his bread in the NFL as a return man.
Howard moved on from Washington after his third season and ended up winning the 1996 Super Bowl with the Green Bay Packers where he also won Super Bowl MVP. After that Howard made his money as a returner.
He even made a pro-bowl with the Detroit Lions in the 2000 season. Howard is probably considered a bust in the grand scheme of things, but he did have a solid career which included a Super Bowl win, Super Bowl MVP, and a pro-bowl appearance. All the accomplishments in his career happened after his time with the Redskins.
3 players the Washington Commanders gave up on way too early: Champ Bailey
Last but not least is Champ Bailey, who’s now in the Hall of Fame. He was selected by the Washington Commanders, aka the Washington Redskins, in the 1999 NFL Draft seventh overall. It didn’t take long for Baily to become a star.
Starting in his second season, Baily made eight straight of his 12 pro-bowl appearances. In five seasons with Washington, he recorded 18 interceptions, one touchdown, and 332 combined tackles. Yet the Redskins traded him for running back Clinton Portis from the Denver Broncos.
Portis ended up being the franchise’s second all-time rusher so it wasn’t like Washington didn’t get a positive return from it. However, Baily ended up making eight pro-bowls and three first-team All-Pros with the Broncos.
Whereas Portis only made one pro-bowl with the Redskins and had injury issues during his tenure. While Portis did good things with Washington, his career didn’t go nearly as well as Bailey’s did and the Redskins lost out on Baily’s prime during his Hall of Fame career.
Do you agree with this list? Were there any other players the Washington Commanders gave up on too early? Comment below with your thoughts.