Dwayne Haskins against the Panthers. Dec 27, 2020; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Football Team quarterback Dwayne Haskins (7) looks on from the sidelines after being benched against the Carolina Panthers in the fourth quarter at FedExField. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

This proved to be quite the week for Washington Football Team quarterback Dwayne Haskins. On Wednesday, the team fined Haskins $40,000 and stripped him of his captaincy after he was photographed not wearing a mask at a large gathering at a hotel for his girlfriend’s birthday party Sunday. Haskins wore a face shield in practice this week and attended meetings remotely, but still wound up starting Sunday against the Carolina Panthers thanks to Alex Smith not being able to go after a calf injury. However, he was benched in the fourth quarter for Taylor Heinicke with Washington trailing 20-6.

Washington would go on to lose 20-13, with Heinicke leading a drive for a late touchdown that wasn’t enough. But the bigger story here may be what’s ahead for Haskins (seen above looking on from the sidelines in the fourth quarter after being benched). He was the 15th overall pick in the 2019 NFL draft, but has been benched this season for Smith, Kyle Allen, and now Heinicke (who Washington only signed Dec. 8 and promoted off the practice roster on Dec. 19).

Haskins didn’t initially speak to media after the game, but then did later:

On the day against Carolina, Haskins completed 14 of 28 passing attempts (50 percent) for 154 yards and two interceptions, a line that explains why you’d bench him for a quarterback signed earlier in the month who was last seen not even seeing the field for the XFL’s St. Louis BattleHawks. And Heinicke put up a much better line than Haskins, completing 12 of 19 passes (63.2 percent) for 137 yards and a touchdown. Granted, his numbers came in the fourth quarter of a game where the Panthers held a 14-point lead when he entered, but this was a day where Haskins really struggled, and Heinicke certainly looked more competent. And Washington coach Ron Rivera wouldn’t commit to who he’ll start next week:

It’s also notable that Washington’s game against the Philadelphia Eagles next week will determine the winner of the NFC East:

So we’ll see if Haskins is able to work his way back to contributing in that game, or if Washington goes with Smith or Heinicke. And we’ll see what’s ahead for Haskins in Washington in the long run. Maybe things will turn around, but this week’s events certainly didn’t help his status there.

[Photo from Geoff Burke/USA Today Sports]

About Andrew Bucholtz

Andrew Bucholtz has been covering sports media for Awful Announcing since 2012. He is also a staff writer for The Comeback. His previous work includes time at Yahoo! Sports Canada and Black Press.