The former University of Wisconsin star signed with Washington's practice squad last week. His fourth NFL team, Stave is trying to learn the Redskins' system as he goes.
One month and one day after being waived by the Kansas City Chiefs, quarterback Joel Stave was signed by the Washington Redskins, joining the team as a practice squad member last week.
Ever since his senior season at Wisconsin in 2015, Stave has bounced around the league, appearing on the rosters of four NFL teams since May of 2016. Going undrafted in the 2016 NFL Draft, Stave signed with the Minnesota Vikings as a practice squad member and has since made stops in Seattle and Kansas City.
Throughout a "frustrating" month of September, Stave went back to his roots in the Milwaukee area, spending time with his dad and even trying his hand at woodworking to pass the time. After the month at home in Wisconsin, he was understandably happy to get the call from the Redskins.
"It was fun getting a call and having a chance to come and workout. So far, I really like the staff, I like the guys," Stave toldf Redskins.com. "As long as you're getting calls, it's a good time."
For Stave, this is not the first time he has had the task of getting acclimated to a new locker room, but he seems to be handling it well with the Redskins.
"It's different every time," the quarterback said. "Most important thing is that you got to come in and take care of your business. If I do everything I can to learn the offense as quick as possible and just help out wherever I can help out, that's a good way to get yourself used to a team and get guys comfortable being around you, and you, the same, being comfortable being around them."
Stave joins a duo of experienced players in Kirk Cousins and Colt McCoy to fill out the quarterback crew. Both Cousins and McCoy have been on the Redskins' roster for several years now and are "easy guys to work with," as Stave attests to.
"They both seem like excellent guys," Stave said. "I was a red-shirt freshman when Kirk was in his senior year at Michigan State, so I got to watch him play a couple times live there. And obviously I knew all about Colt coming out of Texas, but it's cool to get to meet the guys and talk to them a little bit."
The 6-foot-4 gunslinger comes to Washington after a standout career at Wisconsin, where he graduated as the all-time winningest quarterback at the school with a record of 31-10.
Stave was able to see the field in two games for the Chiefs this preseason, going 4-of-9 on passes with 80 yards and a touchdown.
