In a flurry of misunderstandings on Sunday, quarterback Dwayne Haskins seemed to have bungled yet another situation. First, it appeared that Haskins had skipped his mandatory press conference following Washington Football Team’s 20-13 loss to the Carolina Panthers, a game in which the quarterback got benched in the fourth quarter.
It was an ugly day for Haskins, who had an opportunity to help his team clinch a playoff berth in Week 16. Instead, he was 14 of 28 for 154 yards with two interceptions, a performance so bad that Washington put in quarterback Taylor Heinicke.
It then appeared that Haskins had skipped his press conference, but according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Haskins had been cleared to leave by the team, who instead made Heinicke available. Later Sunday night, Haskins joined a video conference with press.
When the confusion cleared about the postgame press conference and he spoke to the media, Haskins demonstrated he is very aware of the disastrous state of his pro prospects. The 2019 first-round pick told reporters he needs to “get my life together” during a press conferences that was deeply sad to watch.
Here’s some of what he said, via ESPN:
“You sign up for this job, so it is what it is. Sometimes being human isn’t enough. You’ve got to own up to your responsibilities and mistakes and put your best foot forward and pray for an opportunity. … You never know when you’ll get another one.”
Dwayne Haskins talks to media from home after game: "Definitely the hardest week of my life… but I just want to bounce back and just move forward and pray and get my life together." Haskins later says, "sometimes being human isn't enough." #WashingtonFootball @nbcwashington pic.twitter.com/hsvbdyQdY8
— NBC4 Sports (@NBC4Sports) December 28, 2020
When he initially didn’t conduct a press conference, the optics were awful. It seemed he didn’t recognize that he shouldn’t be shirking responsibilities, not amid controversy for partying at a club without wearing a mask, which led the team to fine him $40,000 and strip his captaincy. It was as if he didn’t know how grim his NFL prospects were getting — and critics were beginning to swarm amid what seemed like yet another display of poor professionalism.
When he finally did speak, it became clear that Haskins is starting to get it. His words were brutally honest. Clearly, the 23-year-old created this mess for himself. But perhaps his words indicate he understands he needs to change.
The problem is that it may be too little too late. If Washington decides to part ways with him this offseason, he may not have many — or any — options in free agency.
