In 2003, he was signed by the Washington Redskins, for which he spent two seasons as a backup quarterback. He entered the starting lineup in 2003 when then-starter Patrick Ramsey was injured. On December 7, 2003, he completed 13 of 19 passes for 154 yards in leading the Redskins to a 20–7 win over the New York Giants. He threw two touchdown passes and no interceptions in that game. The following week, he had the lowest possible single-game passer rating (0.0) in a 27–0 loss to the Dallas Cowboys. Hasselbeck was 6-for-26 (23 percent) for 57 yards with four interceptions.