Following season-ending injuries to starting quarterback Alex Smith and backup Colt McCoy, the Redskins are naturally seeking some help behind Mark Sanchez. We learned earlier today that the team was set to audition a handful of signal-callers, and now there are two more names to add to the list. JP Finlay of NBC Sports Washington reports (via Twitter) that Washington will work out quarterbacks Landry Jones and Ryan Mallett today.
However, it sounds like the organization already has their eye on one quarterback in particular: Josh Johnson. NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport reports (via Twitter) that the Redskins are hoping to sign the veteran. There are some hurdles that both sides need to overcome, including Johnson’s status as the recent number-one overall pick of the San Diego Fleet of the Alliance of American Football.
The 32-year-old Johnson has bounced around the NFL and UFL since being selected by the Buccaneers in the fifth round of the 2008 draft. The veteran’s last NFL action came in 2013, when he ran for 20 yards on seven carries in two games with the Bengals (he didn’t attempt a pass during his time in Cincy). His last extended look came back in 2011 during his final year in Tampa, when he completed 19 of his 36 pass attempts for 246 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions (to go along with 67 rushing yards).
Working in Johnson’s favor is his relative familiarity with the Redskins’ system. Head coach Jay Gruden was the Bengals’ offensive coordinator during Johnson’s stint in Cincinnati, and Gruden was also an offensive assistant with the Buccaneers during the quarterback’s rookie campaign. Johnson is obviously a different game manager than both Smith and McCoy, but the Redskins may be enticed by the free agent’s presumed ability to quickly learn the playbook.
Mallett had spent the past three seasons in Baltimore as Joe Flacco‘s backup, but he’s yet to find a new gig since hitting free agency. Meanwhile, Jones had a brief stint with the Jaguars this season, although he didn’t end up seeing the field for Jacksonville. The team is also reportedly set to audition E.J. Manuel, T.J. Yates, and others.
Isn’t Mallett the guy that was late a bunch of times with Houston and it cost him opportunities to start
Ten years in the league with 1042 yards to show for it? Wow, Redskins fans everywhere should be disappointed. First Sanchez, now Johnson!
Who’s next at QB in Washington? Donald Duck? Time for Kaepernick to collect big on his collusion suit.
Except he doesn’t want to play or else he wouldn’t have opted out of his contract and turned down others. It’s easier to be a faux martyr and collect a paycheck from asshats like Nike.
Mark Sanchez beat Tom Brady, Peyton Manning and Phillip Rivers in the playoffs. His time is well up, but early on he was nice for the Jets
I don’t think Colin Kaepernick fans will want him playing for a team with the name “Redskins”. That’s racist according to stuck up while people.
wrong josh johnson in the link
wrong Josh Johnson in the link
Wasn’t he just selected in the AAF draft? OK, upon further research he was the first overall pick in the AAF draft. San Diego Fleet are gonna be pissed!!!!!!
Upon what further research? Reading the article?
Alec is all about Kaepernick lol
Kaep has done something like half the guys starting right now, and all of the guys signed after week one, haven’t done: be +12 on his TD/INT ratio his last season. Sure the 49ers sucked, but he played better than most guys ever have according to TDs and INTs
Bring back Kevin Kolb!!!!
I believe he retired young due to concussions…and he sucked…
From wiki “Kolb competed in North Texas fishing tournaments in the offseason.[65] Kolb also enjoys hunting wild hogs in his spare time. It may seem dangerous to hunt with just a twelve-inch Bowie knife, but Kolb, assured the public, “Our dogs go and find ’em first, and then we stab the pigs. It’s a little bit dangerous, but as long as you know what you’re doing, you’ll be all right.”
That’s your man right there.