The Washington Commanders have over 20 free agents in 2024. With a new general manager (Adam Peters), head coach (Dan Quinn) and the most salary cap space in the NFL, the roster will look a lot different.
One of Washington’s free agents is quarterback Jacoby Brissett. Brissett is coming off a one-year $10 million contract and is hitting free agency again at the perfect time. The Commanders started Sam Howell in all 17 games last season. When Brissett saw action, he was flawless.
Brissett saw action in three games; in one of those games, he came in late and participated in just three snaps.
In the other two games Brissett played, he led six Washington drives, completing 18 of 23 passes for 223 yards with three touchdowns. Brissett led the Commanders to five touchdown-scoring drives in the six total drives.
Howell is the only quarterback under contract for Washington in 2024. He will return. The Commanders hold the No. 2 overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft and are most likely taking a quarterback.
So, is there any room for Brissett in 2024?
Brissett wants to play. And he should. He’s played well in each of the last two seasons with the Browns and in his limited snaps with the Commanders. But he also wants to be paid. Backup quarterbacks are well-paid. Washington has the salary-cap room to make Brissett another competitive offer and have him return as a mentor to Howell and another rookie.
Pro Football Focus considers Brissett the most underrated free-agent quarterback in 2024:
Brissett made just two appearances for the Commanders in 2023 because the team was committed to seeing what it had in Sam Howell. He looked good when he did see the field though, going 18-for-23 for 224 yards with three touchdowns and an interception. He also earned 76.3 and 82.6 PFF grades in more meaningful playing time in 2021 and 2022 respectively.
Even if Washington can get Brissett with a similar contract to last season’s, it doesn’t make much sense. While Howell isn’t the veteran Brissett is, he proved he can play in the NFL, and a new coaching staff and scheme could do wonders for him.
If Howell returns as expected, the Commanders would likely carry him and a rookie. There will be another quarterback or two in training camp, but Howell would likely serve as Washington’s bridge QB in 2024 or the backup.
Brissett should land another solid contract this offseason and has proven he deserves to start. Even if he doesn’t start somewhere, Brissett has proven he’s arguably the NFL’s top backup quarterback.
A return to Washington doesn’t appear to be in Brissett’s future, though.