The Washington Redskins may have given up on quarterback Jason Campbell, but that doesn’t mean he won’t still be starting games on Sundays.
The Redskins reached a deal with the Oakland Raiders on April 24 that sent the six-year veteran to Oak-town for a fourth-round pick in the 2012 draft.
Campbell, who was drafted out of Auburn University in 2005, was no longer needed in Washington after the team acquired Pro Bowl quarterback Donovan McNabb from the Philadelphia Eagles. But his services are much needed in Oakland, where the Raiders now roster five quarterbacks that will now compete for the starting position.
“What it comes down to is that we’ve got five quarterbacks now and we’re going to have a great competition,” Raiders coach Tom Cable said of Campbell, Kyle Boller, Charlie Frye, Bruce Gradkowski and JaMarcus Russell. “There will be some decisions to be made here in the next month or so.”
While all five could possibly start, Campbell and Russell—both African-American—appear to be the frontrunners for the spot.
Russell was taken with the No. 1 overall pick in 2007, so several millions of dollars are invested in him becoming a success. But in three seasons Russell has been a disappointment, recording only seven wins in his short career. He is due a huge contract bonus this season, so reports speculate that the Raiders are prepared to release him before the season starts to avoid payoff.
If so, Campbell will have the most recent experience as a starter of any candidate on the roster. Campbell recorded 55 touchdown passes, 38 interceptions, and an 82.3 passer rating in his career.