During most of the NFL Draft hype, the Washington Redskins were getting linked to both Jameis Winston and Marcus Mariota with the No. 5 pick. There was plenty of doubt surrounding Robert Griffin III and his future with the team causing several draft analysts to believe the Redskins were ready for a change under center. However, Washington passed up drafting a quarterback, opting instead to sign Connor Halliday who was expected to challenge for a roster spot, but is not going to make it to rookie min camp now.
According to John Keim of ESPN.com, Halliday is walking away from football and no longer with the Redskins.There were a few eyebrows raised when the Redskins signed Halliday. The Washington State quarterback threw for 11,304 yards and 90 touchdowns in his four-year career. He excelled in a pass-heavy offense under head coach Mike Leach and was scouted to have some NFL potential. That will no longer be in play for the Redskins. Halliday could have been a camp arm or something more. With his absence, ProFootballTalk.com reports that UGA's Hunter Mason and USC's Anthony Neyer will be heading in for a tryout during rookie mini-camp.
With Halliday gone and likely someone joining just for the duration of camp, the Redskins will enter the 2015 season with Griffin as their starts and Krik Cousins and Colt McCoy as the backups. Head coach Jay Gruden has expressed full confidence in this rotation for Washington as all three quarterbacks saw starting time last season. Griffin has the support of most of the teammates while there are still trade rumors circling around Cousins' name if he looks strong in camp.
The Redskins will get a good look at their rookie class which could feature some players built to turn the franchise around. One player to keep an eye on is Matt Jones. NBC Washington reports that while Alfred Morris is the favored rusher in 2015, Jones could challenge him for playing time if he looks strong. Gruden denied that Jones was drafted to challenge Morris for the starting job, but early praise on the running back says otherwise. The Redskins used the draft to build around Griffin instead of replace him and Jones is a part in that.
