Washington might have a perfectly underrated QB option to target in free agency
The Washington Football Team will have options to fill a void at quarterback, and there's a sneaky good option that'll be out there
Someone had to win the NFC East this year, and it was the Washington Football Team with a 7-9 record. They even gave the Tampa Bay Buccaneers a run for their money in the Wild Card Round, with Taylor Heinicke as their starting quarterback.
Dwayne Haskins was supposed to be the quarterback of the future in Washington. But a new coaching staff, and little to show he could be that, led to him being cut less than two seasons in. Alex Smith eventually stepped in and went 5-1 as the starter, and he’s under contract for the next two years. But with his significant leg injury in mind, he’s not guaranteed to play next season (even if he may be leaning that way right now). In any case, he may not be back with Washington. Then there’s Kyle Allen, who is an exclusive rights free agent, and Heinicke, who will be a restricted free agent.
Washington was reported to have interest in Matthew Stafford before he was traded to the Rams, and he won’t be the last veteran quarterback they’re tied to this offseason. With over $35 million in cap space, and paths to clear more, a significant move for a quarterback is in play.
But Liam McKeone of The Big Lead landed on someone below the radar, and I’ve been an advocate of that guy going back a little while.
Jacoby Brissett.
Brissett saw little action as Philip Rivers’ backup this season, completing two of eight passes for 17 yards with three rushing touchdowns mixed in. But he started 15 games for the Colts in 2019, and 15 in 2017 as well. He also made two starts for the Patriots when Tom Brady served his “DeflateGate” suspension in 2016.
In 2017, the Colts acquired Brissett from the Patriots just prior to the season within the mystery of a shoulder injury that ultimately sidelined Andrew Luck for the season. Brissett had to learn a new offense quickly, with a roster that looks very little like the Colts roster does today. He also took a league-high 52 sacks for his trouble.
In 2019, Luck announced his retirement in late August. So Brissett was thrust into the starting role on pretty short notice. Almost equally split by a Week 9 knee injury that only cost him one game, Brissett was very good and then really struggled as the Colts faded from playoff contention.
2019, even with the knee injury, was probably a better representation of who Brissett is or can be. He was nearly a 61 percent passer with 18 touchdowns and just six interceptions, along with 228 rushing yards and four scores on the ground. In 2017, he had 260 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns. So he is a threat with his legs, and in general I was a fan going into the 2016 draft when he was coming out of NC State.
With a good defense and some interesting pieces around him (Terry McLaurin, Antonio Gibson, Logan Thomas), Brissett can be part of a winning formula for Washington. Signing him will be less expensive than virtually any other good option out there too.