“That is about Sam’s continued growth,” Rivera stated Wednesday. “Issues haven’t gone in addition to we’d like for the previous couple of weeks, so it’s a superb alternative for him to look at. I believe Jacoby, being the skilled that he’s and actually enjoying the best way he has, it’s actually going to present … Sam a chance to see some issues and see how the offense goes. I believe it’ll assist.”
The choice was made Tuesday, after Rivera consulted with offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy and quarterbacks coach Tavita Pritchard. Rivera knowledgeable Howell and Brissett early Wednesday earlier than the staff’s follow.
“It was a superb dialog,” Rivera stated of his speak with Howell. “He’s aggressive. He needs to play. However I instructed him that I simply felt this was a superb scenario for him to take a breath.”
Brissett would be the ninth quarterback to begin a recreation for Washington since 2020. Thrice in that span, the staff has made a quarterback swap in Week 17.
After impressing earlier within the season, Howell struggled throughout Washington’s six-game dropping streak. Because the offense faltered and the staff fell behind early in video games, Howell began urgent, typically trying to find large performs and leaving himself susceptible to errors opposing defenses might exploit. Eight of his 17 interceptions this season got here previously 5 video games.
In Week 15 towards the Rams, Washington benched Howell within the fourth quarter after he threw a decide. He accomplished 42.3 % of his passes for 102 yards, one landing, one interception and a 50.5 passer score within the loss. On Sunday towards the Jets, the Commanders trailed by 20 factors when Howell threw his second interception of the sport within the third quarter and Brissett once more changed him. Howell completed with a 27.3 completion proportion, 56 passing yards and a 1.7 passer score.
Brissett rallied the offense in each video games and almost led Washington to a victory at MetLife Stadium, however a last-minute subject aim spoiled Washington’s hopes. Rivera stated after the loss that he’d determined to go along with Brissett due to his expertise.
Brissett signed a one-year deal in March to be the Commanders’ backup, and his effectivity and manufacturing the previous two weeks stood in stark distinction to Howell’s operation of the offense — a lot in order that it might have made the choice for Rivera.
Rivera, nevertheless, stated the swap was about Howell’s “continued growth.”
“We’re all culpable on this scenario, too,” Rivera stated. “This isn’t an indictment [of] Sam. … I actually do suppose this man could be a actually good quarterback on this league. I actually do.”
Rivera stated he believes the extreme hits Howell absorbed (112 whole, together with 60 sacks) and his enjoying time could have factored into his decline. Solely eight beginning quarterbacks have performed extra snaps than Howell has to date this season, and he has performed extra (925 offensive snaps) than some other quarterback in his first yr as a full-time starter. Rivera stated he often checked in with the quarterback all year long to gauge his confidence.
“He’s such a positive-minded, strong-willed younger man that he appeared to deal with these conditions fairly good,” Rivera stated. “Perhaps that is simply me eager to deal with him and ensure he does get an opportunity to only mirror.”
Common season begins (2020-23)
The Commanders have been eradicated from the playoff race after their loss to the Rams, however the season’s last two video games nonetheless carry weight. Washington is third within the 2024 draft order, and losses to the 49ers and the Dallas Cowboys over the subsequent two weeks would tighten Washington’s grip on a top-three decide. Wins might make it more durable to land one of many draft’s high quarterbacks, ought to the Commanders go that route to search out their subsequent starter.
Howell, a 2022 fifth-round decide, spent most of his rookie season studying behind Carson Wentz and Taylor Heinicke earlier than getting his first profession begin in a Week 18 win over the Dallas Cowboys. Rivera moved ahead with him because the 2023 starter partly due to the roster flexibility his rookie contract afforded the staff. However Howell’s restricted expertise was compounded by the problem of transitioning to a brand new offense, a brand new play caller and new faces on the offensive line. Washington’s offense, led by new coordinator Eric Bieniemy, has been essentially the most pass-heavy within the NFL at 38.7 makes an attempt per recreation.
Within the first eight weeks of the season, Howell accomplished 66.9 % of his passes for a mean of 268.3 yards. He threw for touchdowns on 4.2 % of his passes and had a touchdown-to-interception charge of 1.6. Within the seven video games since, Howell hit on simply 58.6 % of his passes for a mean of 230.4 yards. He has thrown for touchdowns on 2.4 % of his makes an attempt and has logged a 0.7 touchdown-to-interception ratio.
In reduction of Howell, Brissett has averaged a 78.3 completion proportion and has thrown three landing passes and nil interceptions. His passer score is 146.8.
Large receiver Terry McLaurin, like Rivera, credited the distinction to Brissett’s expertise.
“He jogs my memory a bit little bit of [Ryan Fitzpatrick] in that they’re vets,” McLaurin stated after the loss at Los Angeles, during which he had a career-high 141 receiving yards. “… They know what it seems like. Soccer remains to be going to be soccer it doesn’t matter what scheme you’re in. So he understands leverages, he understands the place he must launch the ball. He put some nice air below the ball for us receivers to trace the ball.”
Brissett, an eight-year veteran, has began nearly all of three seasons within the NFL — two with the Indianapolis Colts and final season with the Cleveland Browns. The Commanders signed him for his means and his status as a strong teammate.
Following Sunday’s loss, Brissett stated he had instructed Howell “that is going to be the toughest a part of your profession proper now, and it’s going to really feel like, man, that you just’re in it by your self and it’s snowballing.” He added: “However I do know from being on this league, man, the great ones discover a method to get to the opposite facet. Regardless of how lengthy it takes, how onerous it’s, you encompass your self with good individuals. I hope he leans on me as a kind of good individuals to assist him get by way of this, as a result of I do know I’ll.”
