The decision to sideline quarterback Sam Howell in favor of Jacoby Brissett for the Washington Commanders is under scrutiny.
In the fourth quarter of their Week 15 defeat against the Los Angeles Rams, the Washington Commanders made a quarterback switch, substituting veteran Jacoby Brissett for Sam Howell. The Commanders, with a record of 4-10, have officially been eliminated from playoff contention following their 28-20 loss to the Rams.
The noteworthy event in this latest Commanders’ defeat occurred with 9:05 left in the fourth quarter, as they trailed 28-7. At that point, veteran backup Jacoby Brissett was brought in, replacing first-year starting quarterback Sam Howell.
Coach Ron Rivera explained the decision to pull Howell, stating that they were attempting to protect him in a challenging situation, especially when facing an aggressive opponent. Despite this change, Rivera emphasized that Howell remains the starting quarterback for the team moving forward.
Nevertheless, Brissett’s performance has sparked discussions both within and outside the franchise. In his first drive leading the Commanders’ offense, Brissett completed all four of his pass attempts, accumulating 53 total yards, including a 29-yard touchdown pass to star receiver Terry McLaurin. This touchdown narrowed the Rams’ lead to 14 points. On the subsequent offensive possession, Brissett connected with McLaurin again for a 48-yard gain, advancing the ball to the one-yard line.
Following a series of penalties, the Commanders’ backup quarterback threw a three-yard touchdown pass to receiver Curtis Samuel, reducing the deficit to just eight points after a failed extra point attempt.
While Brissett’s efforts fell short of securing a come-from-behind victory, they have raised questions about the future of Howell and Brissett’s role moving forward. Brissett acknowledged Howell’s talent, stating that he is a top-10 quarterback in passing and will be a formidable player in the league for years to come.
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