Heinicke And Wentz Make Way For Brissett In Commanders Quarterback Juggle

By Mark Solway | March 16th, 2023

The Washington Commanders’ 2023 quarterback room will look very different than it did last year; regardless of wether or not second-year man Sam Howell gets the nod as the starter. After losing Taylor Heinicke and Carson Wentz in free agency, the Commanders got their veteran quarterback on Wednesday when they signed Jacoby Brissett.

Brissett will reportedly sign a one year deal worth up to $10 Million, that includes $8 million in guaranteed money.

The Washington #Commanders are signing QB Jacoby Brissett to a one-year, $8 million deal that can hit $10 million, per source. Washington gets a starting option for a quarterback who played well for Cleveland last year. pic.twitter.com/EjALh2lyCa

— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) March 15, 2023

Fill-In

The 30-year old enjoyed a solid season with the Cleveland Browns last year.

Tasked with filling in until incumbent bad boy starter Deshaun Watson was off suspension, the 8-year veteran started 11 games for the Browns. He threw for 2,608 yards with 12 touchdowns and six interceptions. He also posted 243 yards and two more TDs in the run game.

By all accounts, he was a consummate professional.

Brissett was drafted in the 3rd Round – 91st overall – of the 2016 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots.

He has logged 76 games over seven seasons with the Patriots, Indianapolis Colts, Miami Dolphins and Browns.

He has thrown for 10,350 career yards, 48 TDs and 23 picks, as well as 896 yards rushing.

Fitting In

Brissett is a good fit.

Washington were looking for someone that could push Howell to start, but who would be a solid backup, and help Howell learn the ropes.

Coach Ron Rivera has said all offseason that Howell will enter the season as the QB1, but that did not guarantee him the starting position. He wanted to add a veteran that could push Howell and Brissett will do that.

Most Commanders fans seem to agree with the move.

What do you think of Jacoby Brissett?#HTTC

— TheHogsdotNetv2 (@TheHogsdotNetv2) March 16, 2023

Out With The Old

Brissett will ostensibly replace fan favorite Taylor Heinicke.

Heinicke signed a two-year deal with the Atlanta Falcons on Tuesday. He is expected to be the backup to Desmond Ridder, who started the final four games of his rookie season last year.

Heinicke is going home. He was born in the Atlanta suburb of Lawrenceville and went to Collins High School in Suwanee, Georgia.

Many Commanders fans will always keep one eye on Taylor and how he’s doing. Pundits may wax poetic about his NFL arm strength or lack of it, but he certainly has an NFL heart. A very endearing character.

Carson Wentz is said to have signed a deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (not yet official).

The one-year experiment in Washington ended two weeks ago when the Commanders released him.