AP source: Washington signing QB Fitzpatrick, CB Jackson
Ryan Fitzpatrick has agreed to sign a one-year deal with Washington, according to a person with direct knowledge of the move. Veteran quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick and cornerback William Jackson have agreed to sign with the Washington Football Team, according to a person with direct knowledge of the moves. The team now has Fitzpatrick, journeyman-turned-playoff standout Taylor Heinicke and coach Ron Rivera favorite Kyle Allen under contract at quarterback. AdJackson, 28, joins Washington after four seasons with the Bengals during which he recorded three interceptions in 59 games, including 48 starts. He replaces Ronald Darby, who left Washington after one season to sign a $30 million, three-year deal with the Denver Broncos.
QB Heinicke re-signs with Washington for $8.75M over 2 years
Washington re-signed quarterback Taylor Heinicke to an $8.75 million, two-year contract, Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2021. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez, File)Washington re-signed quarterback Taylor Heinicke on Wednesday to a two-year, $8.75 million contract. Heinicke was out of football and taking college classes online when Washington signed him to the practice squad in December. “We all saw how Taylor Heinicke played in the playoff game,” executive vice president of personnel and football Marty Hurney said. Signed to be the “quarantine quarterback," Heinicke went 12 of 19 for 137 yards and a touchdown in that game.
Tom Brady has denied 27 QBs in unparalleled playoff success
Brady is shooting for his seventh ring when he leads the Buccaneers (14-5) against the reigning champion Chiefs (16-2) in Super Bowl 55 on Sunday. Brady's postseason record includes a 33-11 mark, 14 conference championship appearances and 10 trips to the Super Bowl. If the Bucs dethrone the champs, Mahomes would become the sixth quarterback Brady has beaten multiple times in the playoffs. Although he’s not showing his age, 43, Brady will be the oldest to play in a Super Bowl, displacing Colts kicker Matt Stover, who was 42 in Super Bowl 44. Unlike Warner, he wasn't going to get ahead of himself and talk about anything but the Super Bowl title in front of him.
Brady outduels Heinicke, leads Buccaneers past Washington
Brady threw for 381 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Tampa Bay Buccaneers past Washington 31-23 in their NFC wild-card game Saturday night for their first playoff victory since the 2002 season. Brady was critical of his play and the offense's performance in the red zone but relished picking up his 31st career postseason win. “Certainly a lot to improve on, but great to get a win,” said Brady, who was 22 of 40 passing. “We’re thrilled with the win,” Buccaneers tight end Cameron Brate said. In his only other game at Washington in 2016 with Pittsburgh, he had eight catches for 126 yards and two touchdowns.
Washington trails Tampa Bay Buccaneers at halftime, 18-7
LANDOVER, MARYLAND - JANUARY 09: Quarterback Tom Brady #12 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers throws a touchdown pass to wide receiver Antonio Brown #81 during the 1st quarter of the game against the Washington Football Team at FedExField on January 09, 2021 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)It wasn’t a good start to the Washington Football Team’s first playoff game since 2015. When the game began, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers got off to an early lead and currently hold an 18-7 advantage at halftime over Washington. Tampa Bay took a 9-0 lead after the first quarter, but Washington cut its deficit to 9-7 with 12:59 left in the second quarter on a 2-yard touchdown run by J.D. Tampa Bay added a field goal with 1:50 left in the first half to take an 18-7 lead.
Washington falls to Tampa Bay in Wild Card game, 31-23
Brady threw for 381 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to a 31-23 win at FedExField. Tampa Bay then answered with a field goal to take a 31-23 lead with 2:49 remaining. Heinicke drove Washington to the Tampa Bay 49-yard line with just over two minutes left, but the drive stalled on downs and Tampa Bay ran out the clock with Washington out of timeouts. Tampa Bay took a 9-0 lead after the first quarter, but Washington cut its deficit to 9-7 with 12:59 left in the second quarter on a 2-yard touchdown run by J.D. Tampa Bay added a field goal with 1:50 left in the first half and held an 18-7 lead at halftime.
Mr. Smith goes to Washington, takes another team to playoffs
Washington Football Team's Alex Smith plays during the first half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021, in Philadelphia. Alex Smith is the biggest reason Washington became the first team in the Super Bowl era to start 2-7 and make the playoffs. (AP Photo/Derik Hamilton, File)If the Alex Smith story becomes a movie, Alex Smith doesn't want to see it. “When Alex Smith plays quarterback, they’re a heck of a football team,” Tampa Bay coach Bruce Arians said. "They’re an extremely well-coached team, a ton of talent on that defensive front, but Alex Smith is really the key to everything.”How is that possible?
NFL races go down to the wire in AFC South and NFC East
“We win this game, find a way to win, win the division. He's assured of repeating as NFL rushing champ, the first since Hall of Famer LaDainian Tomlinson in 2006-07. Henry has a career-high 1,777 yards rushing and ran for 212 yards in his most recent game against the Texans. Ezekiel Elliott, despite a mediocre performance in 2020, needs 63 yards rushing for 1,000 this season, his fourth such output in five seasons. Baltimore (10-5) at Cincinnati (4-10-1)During their four-game winning streak, the Ravens have averaged 37 points and 233.3 yards rushing per game.
New final exam: Heinicke pauses school to QB for Washington
Washington Football Team quarterback Taylor Heinicke scrambles during an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2020, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Mark Tenally)Taylor Heinicke had math, not football, on his mind this fall. His course load: Mathematics in Nature, Number Theory and Discrete Mathematics, Applied Numerical Methods and Partial Differential Equations. “It’s somewhat unique to get incompletes because he had to join the football team,” said Melrose, who taught Heinicke Calculus III several years ago. Rivera didn't hesitate when asked if he thought Heinicke could handle it, which adds up given his experience.
Washington releases 2019 1st-round pick Dwayne Haskins
Washington Football Team quarterback Dwayne Haskins (7) walking on the field before the start of an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2020, in Landover, Md. Haskins started in place of injured quarterback Alex Smith despite being disciplined for breaking COVID-19 rules by partying with several people without a mask. “My time with the WFT has unfortunately come to an end,” Haskins tweeted. “I thank the team & fans for the opportunity to play for the team I grew up rooting for. The team's last first-round QB bust, Robert Griffin III, tweeted Monday: “Wishing the best for (Haskins).
Washington beaten by Panthers, fails to clinch NFC East
Haskins' failed second chance coupled with a special teams blunder and defensive miscues added up to Washington blowing its first chance to clinch the NFC East by losing to the Carolina Panthers 20-13 on Sunday. With Christian McCaffrey out again, Curtis Samuel had five catches for 106 yards and was the Panthers' leading rusher with 52 yards on seven carries. 2 pick forced Bridgewater to fumble on a sack in Washington territory early in the third quarter to prevent Carolina from putting up even more points. Washington: Played without top WR Terry McLaurin, who couldn't keep gutting through a nagging ankle injury. Washington: Gets another chance to win the NFC East next Sunday at Philadelphia.
Haskins fined, in line to start for Washington if needed
Washington Football Team quarterback Dwayne Haskins (7) as he prepares to throw the ball against the Seattle Seahawks during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 20, 2020, in Landover, Md. The organization fined Haskins $40,000 for violating COVID-19 protocols, according to a person with knowledge of the situation. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the team had not announced the fine. Haskins started and threw two interceptions in a 20-15 loss to Seattle before the incident that led to the fine. Haskins said he understood this could be his final chance with Washington.