Washington Commanders Trade Calls Being Made on QB Jacoby Brissett; Better Than Sam Howell?

Washington Commanders Trade Calls Being Made on QB Jacoby Brissett; Better Than Sam Howell?

With it feeling increasingly unlikely that the Minnesota Vikings will trade quarterback Kirk Cousins in advance of the Oct. 31 trade deadline, Washington Commanders backup quarterback Jacoby Brissett continues to generate buzz as a possible candidate to be moved in the coming days. 

The latest comes from ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, who reports that there indeed have been inquires about Brissett from possible suitors. It's not immediately clear what teams showed interest, nor do we know if Washington coach Ron Rivera and general manager Martin Mayhew would consider moving the veteran signal-caller. 

Nonetheless, it's interesting to know that there would be a market for Brissett if Washington chooses to listen to offers for the 30-year-old. One would think that the Cleveland Browns -- who employed Brissett in 2022 and currently are in flux at quarterback as Deshaun Watson deals with a shoulder injury -- would make sense as a possible landing spot. The Browns are 4-2, and, led by pass rusher Myles Garrett, seem to have a Super Bowl-caliber defense. Brissett knows coach Kevin Stefanski's system, and would seemingly be an upgrade over P.J. Walker for as long as Cleveland is without Watson. 

Could the Cleveland Browns re-acquire Jacoby Brissett to back up Deshaun Watson?  / USA Today

Still, this will come down to whether the Commanders are actually willing to trade Brissett, who is making $8 million on a one-year deal this season. On one hand, Washington seems committed to seeing what they have in second-year quarterback Sam Howell. On the other hand, Howell has been sacked a staggering 40 times this season, and it stands to reason that if that pace continues, he's eventually going to get hurt. At that point, having a reliable backup like Brissett ready to step in would be important for Rivera, who is likely coaching for his job. 

It can also be argued - and has, in some quarters - that Brissett should be back in the competition for Howell's job.

All that said, if the Commanders lose to the division-rival Philadelphia Eagles this weekend, they'll be at 3-5. Unless the plan is to pivot to Brissett as the starting quarterback in Week 9, it would seem strange not to cash him in for some sort of draft pick if there are interested parties. Under such a scenario, Washington could then sign a veteran free agent like Colt McCoy or Nick Foles, or even pick Walker up as a backup if the Browns cut him loose after acquiring a different backup to Watson.