This must have been how Dwayne Haskins imagined it.
Under center at MetLife Stadium against the Giants, with a chance to prove his hometown team wrong about passing on him. Only, instead of a memorable homecoming, it was a debut the former Ohio State star would like to forget.
Haskins, a Highland Park, N.J. native, was unable to rally the Redskins after replacing Case Keenum, throwing three interceptions and completing 9-of-17 passes for 107 yards in an ugly 24-3 loss. Daniel Jones, the quarterback the Giants took sixth overall instead of Haskins, improved to 2-0 as the starter, completing 23 of 31 passes for 225 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions.
“I hate losing,” said Haskins, who grew up a Giants fan. “I really do. We’re going to keep getting better and that’s not happening again.”
After the game, Redskins coach Jay Gruden was noncommittal whether Haskins will be his quarterback next Sunday against the Patriots. He was hoping the rookie could provide a spark, which didn’t come.
“He’s got to earn that right first,” Gruden said. “I don’t care when you’re drafted, you have to earn that. He’s got to come in here and perform when he’s asked to perform, and if I feel like he gives us the best chance to win against New England, I’ll put him in.”
There was one big positive for Haskins: He got to meet Eli Manning, the player he grew up idolizing. He told the two-time Super Bowl champion how much he appreciated his career.
“I grew up here and lived an hour away from the stadium,” said Haskins, who threw a pick-six and was sacked twice. “[New] Jersey still runs deep in my blood.”
On draft night, a disappointed Haskins was seen giving a rueful chuckle when the Giants took Jones and said “the league done messed up,” about his slide to 15th, where the Redskins took him. Several experts criticized the pick of Jones. That narrative has changed, as Jones has quickly impressed. Haskins, meanwhile, is looking to prove he is the Redskins future, and wouldn’t mind sticking it to the team he wanted to see win as a kid.
“I have no hate towards the Giants,” he said. “Like I said, I’m from here. So now, if anything, it’s more motivation to beat them every year. I’m looking forward to that.”