The Washington Commanders needed a spark on offense in what was becoming a one-sided Los Angeles Rams romp. As a result, they ended up creating new thoughts of a quarterback controversy.
How Jacoby Brissett Fueled QB Controversy Chatter
Washington entered SoFi Stadium with a 3,000-yard passer in tow in Sam Howell. The Commanders left with Jacoby Brissett nearly guiding the comeback win and upset.
The veteran and career backup began the Commanders’ sudden late charge by finding Terry McLaurin splitting between two burnt Rams defenders.
Jacoby Brissett comes in and comes up with a TD pass 🎯
📺: #WASvsLAR on CBS
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/kw7mays4qU pic.twitter.com/7stlYdAJu7— NFL (@NFL) December 17, 2023
That strike for 28 yards cut the Rams’ lead to 28-14. Brissett, though, wasn’t through.
The Commanders took another march to the goal line. This time, Brissett threaded this needle to Curtis Samuel — turning a possible Rams rout into a one-touchdown game.
Jacoby to Curtis and it's a one-score game with 1:56 left
📺 #WASvsLAR: CBS pic.twitter.com/rD8nhhHcke
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) December 18, 2023
Brissett hadn’t thrown for a single yard this season before being inserted in. He watched Howell pile up the yards and touchdowns for Washington, but Sunday became his first real NFL action since Nov. 27, 2022, when he was with the Cleveland Browns.
He threw for 124 yards and two touchdowns … all in the fourth quarter and with under 10 minutes to play. He also came in and turned McLaurin into the weapon the Commanders know he is, as he caught three passes for 93 yards once Howell got yanked.
Now, with a season already lost for the 4-10 Commanders, perhaps Brissett just triggered a new NFL QB controversy.
Ron Rivera Reacts To Pulling Sam Howell in Favor of Brissett
Howell was unable to finish out the game the moment he was picked off by John Johnson III of the Rams.
He ended his L.A. afternoon completing just 11 passes out of 26 attempts and settling for only 102 yards — now a season-low for the QB who has 3,568 yards this season.
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The first-year starter for the Commanders has witnessed a decline of late. Before getting benched late in the eight-point loss, he was held to 127 yards in the 45-15 rout at the hands of the Miami Dolphins a week ago.
Commanders head coach Ron Rivera was asked right away what went into the decision to sit Howell. Rivera didn’t speak of any QB controversy.
“Just really, kind of, trying to take care of him a little bit,” Rivera said postgame. “He ran into a situation where he had his ears pinned back like that.”
But then came the follow-up: Is he still the starting quarterback?
Rivera answered by giving a short nod yes for the answer.
Howell then faced the same questioning on why he got pulled … and if his answer was identical to what Rivera shared.
“Yeah. I mean, it was kind of how the game was going. They told me that they were going to take me out of there,” Howell said to reporters. “But it is what it is. I’ve got to play better. We just weren’t good enough. I’ve got to play better.”
He was then asked, however, if he knows he’s the QB1 for next week.
“Honestly, we haven’t spoken anything about it,” Howell said. “But, yeah, I’ve got to try and keep doing what I can and taking it one day at a time and keep trying to be the best player for this team.”
Yet, he does credit Brissett for being a helping hand in his development at the QB position.
“[I’m] always trying to learn and get better, and he’s a great one to learn from,” Howell said.
Brissett, meanwhile, defended Howell despite being taken out of the game.
“This isn’t a product of who he is,” Brissett said in the locker room. “He’s a good kid, he’s top 10 in the league in passing for a reason. I mean, he’s a good player.”
Brissett then gave clarity to how he viewed the decision to come in and relieve Howell.
“It reached to a point in the game where it was, ‘Get ready for next week,'” Brissett said. “This shouldn’t discourage him.”
Brissett knows from experience what Howell endured, having been a part of late-game decisions before. He concluded that the key is to never lose confidence.
“I’m sure he won’t. I’m sure he’ll come back better from this,” Brissett said.
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