WFT's Dwayne Haskins Talks 'Hardest Week of My Life' After Benching vs. Panthers

Washington Football Team quarterback Dwayne Haskins Jr. was benched during Sunday's 20-13 loss to the Carolina Panthers and eventually addressed the media after initially declining to do so.

"Definitely the hardest week of my life," he told reporters. "I just want to bounce back and move forward and pray and get my life together."

Haskins also noted that he has to learn from his mistakes:

"You sign up for this job. It is what it is. Sometimes being human isn’t enough. Own up to your responsibilities and your mistakes and be a better person moving forward. Put your best foot forward and pray for opportunities. When you have them, seize them and make the most of it. You never know when you’ll get another one."

Albert Breer of The MMQB reacted to Haskins' decision to talk after the game:

Nicki Jhabvala of the Washington Post reported Haskins initially did not talk to the media even when approached by a member of the team's public relations team. He also left the stadium at the time.

Ben Standig of The Athletic provided more context to the situation:

Per ESPN's Adam Schefter, Haskins left the stadium after being told Taylor Heinicke—who finished the game under center for Washington—would be speaking to reporters:

Haskins started in place of the injured Alex Smith but struggled and went 14-of-28 for 154 yards, zero touchdowns and two interceptions before Washington lifted him for Heinicke. The backup was much better than the starter and went 12-of-19 for 137 yards, one touchdown and zero interceptions.

His path to Sunday's role was rather remarkable as he was undrafted out of Old Dominion in 2015 and was out of the NFL entirely in 2019. What's more, Washington didn't even sign him until three weeks ago, and he was taking online classes at Old Dominion before he received the call.

This is another development in a suboptimal week for Haskins.

The Ohio State product was fined $40,000 and stripped of his captaincy after he was photographed at an event while not wearing a mask. His actions violated the NFL's health and safety protocols in place during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Despite the loss and drama surrounding Haskins, Washington is still in first place in the NFC East at 6-9 and can clinch a division crown with a Week 17 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles.