The Washington Football Team means serious business. That was proven earlier this week when the team sent second-year quarterback Dwayne Haskins packing. Washington released the former Ohio State quarterback a day after he was benched in a loss to the Carolina Panthers. One former NFL coach believes Haskins, drafted 15th overall by the Washington Redskins in 2019, can be considered a bigger bust than former No. 1 pick JaMarcus Russell.

Dwayne Haskins’ short-lived NFL career

Dwayne Haskins was selected in the first round of the 2019 NFL draft. After playing his college ball at Ohio State, the Washington Redskins selected the 6-foot-4, 230-pound quarterback with the 15th overall pick. Haskins played nine games during his rookie season, starting seven.

Haskins struggled as a rookie, going 2-5 as a starter and completing 58% of his passes. He threw seven touchdown passes and as many interceptions. He began as the backup to Case Keenum and got his chance in Week 4 after Keenum was benched for poor play. Haskins got his first win in Week 12 against the Detroit Lions, throwing for 158 yards.

This season, Haskins has gone 1-5 in six starts. He was 3-10 as a starter in the NFL before getting his surprising release last week. Haskins has been a distraction off the field, likely playing a significant factor in Washington cutting ties with him. Haskins cleared waivers and is now a free agent.

Was JaMarcus Russell’s time in the NFL worse than Haskins’?

JaMarcus Russell is usually at the top of the list – at least in the top three – when it comes to NFL busts. Russell was a highly touted quarterback out of LSU. He was a physical specimen at 6-foot-6, 265 pounds. Russell was selected with the top overall pick by the Oakland Raiders in the 2007 NFL draft.

After a lengthy holdout, Russell signed a six-year deal worth up to $68 million, $31.5 million guaranteed. Russell never got things going in the NFL. He played three seasons with the Raiders and went 7-18 in his 25 starts. In his final season with the team, Russell went 2-7 and threw three touchdown passes and 11 interceptions.

Russell was often out of shape. His work ethic was severely questioned. It had been reported that Russell was flirting with the 300-pound mark while still a member of the Raiders. In May of 2010, the Raiders released Russell after signing veteran quarterback Jason Campbell.

Former NFL coach labels Haskins a bigger bust than Russell

Dwayne Haskins’ release last week was shocking to many. It wasn’t shocking because of his poor play or because of his off-the-field issues. It was surprising because Haskins was only in his second year in the NFL and Washington pulled the trigger. That is what convinces former Baltimore Ravens head coach Brian Billick that Haskins might be the biggest first-round bust ever in the NFL.

“This is clearly going to go down as the worst first-round bust,” Billick said, according to NBC Washington. “I mean, even JaMarcus Russell, Ryan Leaf, it took a little while, it took a couple years to say, ‘Yeah, okay, these guys can’t play.’ For Washington to move this quickly, and I think they’re doing the right thing and I think it’s in his best interest as well, he needs to get out of this area, someplace where he’s not going to carry the expectations of a first-round quarterback.”

Haskins is just 23 years old. He wasn’t good on the field. He wasn’t good off it. Haskins is still young enough where some team might be willing to take a chance at him.