Shanahan did not select a quarterback in the draft, in part, because he was grooming Beck for the present and future. He declined to add another viable challenger to the Beck-Grossman battle because he had a plan.
As long as Beck continued to validate Shanahan’s faith in him, people say, Shanahan’s guy was already in place. Beck had to lose his spot.
In my opinion, he hasn’t.
By now, Beck’s story is well known.
Miami and Baltimore, the teams Beck played for previously, evaluated him much less favorably than Shanahan and his son, Kyle, Washington’s offensive coordinator. No one in the NFL views Beck as highly as the Shanahans do, which is good for Beck, because this is their show.
Where others noticed limitations in Beck, the Shanahans saw potential for significant improvement. Although some doubted Beck’s strengths were even enough for him to compete at the highest level, the Shanahans had no such concerns.
The Shanahans, people familiar with their thinking say, believe they know exactly who Beck is and what he could become. To them, he’s not simply another quarterback. Beck is the best choice to assist them in reviving the Redskins.
He’s more athletic than Grossman, which should help in aspects of the running game and play calling. The Redskins believe Beck will be more careful with the football than Grossman, who has 40 career touchdowns and 40 interceptions.
If the Redskins were a finished product, Grossman would be the safer choice. If all Shanahan needed was a quarterback to manage the offense while relying on a dominant running game and an overpowering defense, then he should roll with Rex.
Washington isn’t there yet.
More talented than last season, the Redskins probably still won’t be among the best of the best. Why not develop with Beck?
“I believe, and will always believe, I can be a starter in this league,” Beck said. “What happens, I don’t know, because I’m not the one making the decision. . . . It’s kind of a tough spot, because you just don’t know.”
One way or another, Shanahan’s choice will have a major impact on the season. A mistake could be another significant setback, and nailing it would provide a big boost. Shanahan brought Beck to Washington to play. It’s time to let him.
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