CHARLOTTE, NC – Former Washington Football Team quarterback Dwayne Haskins is due to visit the Carolina Panthers on Monday, a league source confirmed on Saturday.
Haskins was released by Washington after losing to the Panthers in the 16th week and a week after losing without a mask at his girlfriend’s birthday party after losing to the Seattle Seahawks.
Haskins was fined $ 40,000 for his second breach of COVID-19 protocols and lost his captain, but made his second straight start in losing to Carolina.
The Panthers’ current interest in Haskins should come as no surprise.
Panthers coach Matt Rhule recruited 23-year-old Haskins when he was the head coach at Temple. When asked about Haskins’ release, Rhule said that players who were this highly recruited “didn’t spend too much time talking to us”.
Haskins landed in the state of Ohio and set multiple records while conducting an attack led by then-offensive coordinator Ryan Day. Day, now the Buckeyes head coach, worked with Rhule in Temple when they were both assistants in 2006.
Haskins was Washington’s 15th election in 2019 and could well fit in with Carolina’s quarterback-friendly offensive.
The fact that Rhule Teddy did not give Bridgewater a vote of confidence as a starter for 2021, saying Bridgewater must have an “enormous off-season” creates some uncertainty about the Panthers’ quarterback position.
Bridgewater is backed by former XFL stars P. J. Walker and Will Grier from the 2019 third round.
Other teams have reportedly expressed an interest in Haskins. While his visit to Carolina has been described as exploratory, that doesn’t mean he can’t become a signature.
It remains to be seen when such a signature could take place. The Panthers are also in the process of interviewing general manager candidates. You have already interviewed at least 13, including two internal.
NFL Network previously reported on the Panthers’ planned interview with Haskins.
Haskins was a 3-10 starter in Washington for the last two seasons. He completed 60.1% of his passes and threw 12 touchdowns on 14 interceptions.
The Panthers are also in the process of replacing quarterbacks coach Jake Peetz, who was recently appointed LSU offensive coordinator, and could lose offensive coordinator Joe Brady.
Brady interviewed Houston, Atlanta and the Los Angeles Chargers for their positions as head coach.