No Thanks, Jay Cutler, Redskins Should Stick with Jason Campbell

(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

So Jay Cutler is now a Chicago Bear, and Jason Campbell is still a Washington Redskin.

Thank you, Chicago, for paying a ransom for crybaby Cutler. And thank you, Daniel Snyder, for having the sense to not out pay the Bears.

I don’t dispute the fact that Cutler is a talented quarterback who has achieved more statistical success in a shorter period of time and at a younger age than Campbell—but this was the wrong move at the wrong time.

Ultimately, Campbell may never become as good as Cutler. But for a change, as Redskins owner, Snyder must be patient, grow the team organically, and let everyone—fans included—reach a natural conclusion with some closure.

Both Campbell and Head Coach Jim Zorn must be given sufficient time to toil and either succeed or fail.

One year for Campbell in Zorn’s rookie offensive system is inadequate to measure Campbell. Really, he needs three full years with Zorn before we can confidently declare Campbell’s a bust, but neither he nor Zorn will be given that much leash because Snyder just doesn’t have that kind of patience. 

But at a minimum, Campbell has to get a second year under his belt in this hybrid west coast offense developed by Zorn—and hopefully with an improved offensive line and more production from second-year receivers Devin Thomas, Malcolm Kelly, and Fred Davis.

While there’s a lot to blame on the Snyder front, I don’t blame management for not committing long-term to Campbell in terms of a new contract. 

The jury is clearly out on whether No. 17 is a franchise quarterback worth investing many millions over the next half decade. Basically, if you make a mistake at the quarterback position, it takes 4-6 years for a team to recover. 

The Detroit Lions are still spiraling downward following the Joey Harrington disaster.  Even if they draft Matthew Stafford this year, it will take another three years to determine whether he’s the real deal or not.

Here’s what we learned about Campbell last yeear.

THE GOOD:

• He proved he can protect the ball. His 1.19 interception percentage (only six picks in 506 pass attempts) was the best in the entire NFL.
• His big arm has the potential to win games. Many NFL quarterbacks couldn’t complete the 67-yard beauty to Santana Moss which beat the New Orleans Saints in Week Two...certainly not Colt Brennan, who is beloved by many Redskins fans.

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