NFL Free Agency: Best and Worst Commanders Moves This Offseason

From the signing of quarterback Jacoby Brissett to the departure of linebacker Cole Holcomb, the Washington Commanders made some good - and not-so-good - moves in NFL free agency.

A lot of people wanted to see the Washington Commanders bring back quarterback Taylor Heinicke to either compete with Sam Howell for the starting job or back him and remain a leader in the locker room. 

Of course, some are also happy to see the Commanders bringing in veteran quarterback Jacoby Brissett and believe he will not only compete with Howell but beat him. 

And we can add Pro Football Focus to the list of folks who like the signing after they named it their favorite Washington move of NFL free agency. 

"Last season with the Browns, Brissett played exactly like any team hopes when they bring aboard a bridge quarterback," writes PFF. "This is not a lateral move from Taylor Heinicke, it's a marked upgrade at the position, and Washington doesn't let a trio of wide receivers in Terry McLaurin, Jahan Dotson and Curtis Samuel potentially go to waste."

It's safe to assume then that letting Heinicke leave to join the Atlanta Falcons wasn't PFF's least favorite move. 

But letting linebacker Cole Holcomb out of the building certainly is. 

"A fifth-round draft pick out of North Carolina back in 2019, Holcomb ranked top 20 among off-ball linebackers with 20 defensive stops through the first seven weeks of the season," says PFF. "He also ranked top 15 with five tackles for loss or no gain before suffering a season-ending foot injury."

While the loss of Holcomb shouldn't be understated, losing the linebacker to free agency isn't likely to be a franchise killer. 

While the Steelers agreed to a deal that counts for less than $3 million of their cap this year, Holcomb will eat more than $7.5 million in the next. 

By not paying that, Washington was able to pay defensive Daron Payne and now has a $7.5 million head start on trying to keep defensive end Montez Sweat and safety Kamren Curl in-house as well. 

Tough decisions are hard for a reason, but the Commanders made the right one here, and they did it twice.

Find David Harrison on the Locked On Commanders podcast or text him directly at (202) 760-2188.

Want the latest in breaking news and insider information on the Washington Commanders? Click Here.

Follow Commander Country on Twitter.

Want even more Washington Commanders news? Check out the SI.com team page here