How the NFL Feels About Jacob Eason
The Oregon State game, a Washington victory, wasn't more than a few minutes old when one of the Huskies' most ardent supporters posted online exactly what was on his mind.
"I'm ready to move on from Eason."
He was not alone in his disgruntlement with the junior UW quarterback. People appearing on different fan websites argued late into the night over the capabilities of the junior signal caller from Lake Stevens.
Yes, Husky fans, you can be tough on your starting quarterbacks.
Warren Moon nearly went home after hearing boos rain down on him at Husky Stadium. He ended up winning a Rose Bowl and being inducted to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Chris Chandler was deemed an underachiever because his finest moment, a last-second win over USC, came at the outset of his career and he never made it to Pasadena. He ended up in the Super Bowl.
Fans outwardly tired of Jake Browning after he couldn't turn Washington into a top 10 team. He started for four years in Seattle and led the Huskies to a pair of conference championships.
Which brings us to Jacob Eason.
He's possibly the hardest-throwing quarterback to come through the program. His arm is incredibly powerful. Yet he's also been on the losing side in four of 10 games. He's become a target for abuse.
Eason has drawn growing criticism from the Huskies fan base for his discomfort in the pocket, pick-6s on consecutive weekends, the general unpolished state of his game.
Luckily for him, the pros see only the big picture. A passer with a heater like his goes a long way in the NFL. The next level hasn't given up on Eason at all.
"He has tremendous arm talent," an NFL personnel executive said this week, preferring anonymity. "He's big. He's smart. He's got a lot of the traits that we look for in a quarterback."
Yet the pros regard Eason as a work in progress, someone who could use more Washington seasoning, a quarterback still building confidence.
"I do think he needs more time taking snaps and live action in games to be prepared," the exec said. "I would like to see him return to college for another year."
So far this season, Eason has completed 202 of 317 passes for 2,472 yards and 20 touchdowns, and been intercepted 7 times.
In the accompanying video, taken during Oregon State post-game, Eason speaks about "the process." He has made no mention of his plans for his senior year in 2020.
Eason, should he stay patient and blind to the online ridicule, could benefit significantly from another UW season, according to this pro connection.
"I think he could be a top five pick if he does that," the NFL talent scout said. "Maybe a top 10 pick."
