It’s not often the Washington Commanders do something everyone agrees is a good move. Some even believed that Washington shouldn’t have given defensive tackle Daron Payne a new contract with $60 million guaranteed earlier this week because the team had already re-signed Jonathan Allen.
On Wednesday, the Commanders agreed to terms with quarterback Jacoby Brissett on a one-year contract. The deal gives Washington a veteran quarterback who can push Sam Howell yet take over and win games if Howell proves he isn’t ready in 2023.
Seth Walder of ESPN is grading all of the top free-agent signings this week. Walder loved Washington’s signing of former Chiefs offensive lineman Andrew Wylie.
What did he think of the Commanders signing Brissett?
Well, he gave them an A-. Here’s Walder, in his own words, discussing Brissett to Washington.
Like the Commanders, I am somewhat intrigued by Sam Howell. But I’m also a realist — he’s a 2022 fifth-round pick who played one game last season. The best thing the Commanders could do short of landing Lamar Jackson is get a veteran QB with upside. Brissett completely fits the bill.
Brissett played very well in Cleveland last season, with a 60 QBR that ranked eighth among all quarterbacks. With the same team, Deshaun Watson’s QBR was 38.3 (which would have ranked 27th had he qualified). At worst, Brissett is a bridge quarterback to Howell or someone else, a role he filled admirably in Cleveland. At best, perhaps his play with the Browns is a sign of more to come and Washington will be the beneficiary.
Either way, he’s a great fit on a one-year commitment for Washington. It also makes sense for Brissett. He’s in a spot where he should be the Week 1 starter, and the Commanders have a good receiver in Terry McLaurin, a good defense and a new offensive coordinator in Eric Bieniemy. The only question I have is whether Washington should have instead gone for Jackson. I suppose it still could, as a one-year deal for Brissett is a pittance compared with what Jackson will cost. The Commanders wouldn’t be surrendering an early first-rounder if they sign Jackson to an unmatched offer sheet — they pick in the middle of Round 1 — and would be an instant contender in the shallow NFC. It would be costly, but the Commanders have to at least consider it.
Jackson aside, Brissett is a pretty ideal short-term move.
There’s really no downside here for Washington. If Howell wins the job and plays well, then the Commanders have their guy. If he doesn’t, Brissett will keep Washington in the playoff hunt. That’s precisely the move head coach Ron Rivera needed to make.
