Commanders' Jacoby Brissett Reveals Key to Recent Individual Success

Washington Commanders quarterback Jacoby Brissett explained what's allowed him to be successful in relief appearances over the last two weeks.

Veteran quarterback Jacoby Brissett has had a chance to come in on mop-up duty for Sam Howell over the past two weeks, and played well enough that coach Ron Rivera has decided to give the 31-year-old an opportunity to start for the Washington Commanders Sunday afternoon against the San Francisco 49ers. 

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Upon being announced as the Week 17 starter for the Commanders, Brissett explained what's allowed him to be successful in limited action for Washington over the past two weeks. 

"I just try and play clean and obviously coming in at those parts of the game, I try to get myself into the game, I got to get myself going," Brissett said. "Just make the easy plays easy, and just doing that on a consistent basis and letting our guys just do the work.”

Brissett has appeared in three games this season for the Commanders, completing 18 of 23 passes for 224 yards. The former third-round pick has an 18-30 career record as a starter in the NFL, having previously gotten opportunities to start for the New England Patriots, Indianapolis Colts, Miami Dolphins and Cleveland Browns. Brissett tossed 12 touchdowns to six interceptions in 11 games with Cleveland a season ago, as he filled in for the suspended Deshaun Watson. 

The reality is that we know what Brissett is -- a high-end backup that's capable of starting a few games per season but has enough limitations that he's not a franchise quarterback. Perhaps he'll help a Commanders team that's lost six consecutive games end their season on a positive note, although he'll have his work cut out given that Washington finishes their season against the 49ers and Dallas Cowboys. 

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For the long-term future of the Commanders, the best thing that could happen might be for them to lose out. Coach Ron Rivera almost certainly won't be back next year, with owner Josh Harris likely to bring in his own regime. 

The Commanders are currently in line to have the No. 3 overall pick, and a new regime would be best served having the highest pick possible. Maybe they'll use it to select a quarterback prospect, like USC's Caleb Williams, North Carolina's Drake Maye or LSU's Jayden Daniels. Or, a new regime could decide to trade down, collect extra draft capital and see if the aforementioned Howell can limit his turnovers with a better supporting cast.