The Commanders’ QB sie in 2023 is going to be a battle of Tobacco Road, as North Carolina alum Sam Howell and NC State’s Jacoby Brissett are the top two on the depth chart as of now.
When CBS Sports’ NFL insider joined JP Finlay rolling solo on BMitch & Finlay on Friday, they had a discussion about Lamar Jackson’s situation in Baltimore – and that led to the quote about the “battle,” and what the duo brings to the table collectively.
“First of all, the Commanders’ QB situation is a battle for the heart of Tobacco Road,” Brinson said. “I think there’s much of a battle, so maybe that’s the wrong word, but Jacoby is the perfect complement for a guy like Sam Howell – who was considered a Top 5 pick the year before he was drafted. He’s a good teammate who isn’t going to rock the boat, and there’s more upside with that pair than most people will give the Commanders credit for.”
It would seem that Lamar Jackson would be someone the Commanders might be looking at long-term, especially if Howell struggles in 2023, but Brinson knows Ron Rivera better than that.
“I wouldn’t be opposed to any team going out to get Lamar Jackson, but I followed Ron Rivera for years, and this seems like his M.O. with what he’s going to do in the quarterback room,” Brinson said. “(Howell) is a really good quarterback, and it surprised me when the Panthers traded up to get Matt Corral with Sam Howell still sitting there.”
Brinson furthered that notion by asking who would’ve started last year if Carson Wentz was the fifth-round pick and Howell was the flashy free agent, leading JP to note how draft status really does affect perception even when it shouldn’t.
“That’s exactly right. If Howell is drafted in the second round instead of the fifth round, is anyone questioning the Commanders seeing what they have and going with him and Brissett?” Brinson asked. “No, and that’s kind of insane that the difference between ‘what are they doing?’ and ‘you have to know what you have’ is a couple rounds. He could’ve easily been a third-round pick, and a year ago he was considered a Top 5 pick!”
Just remember, it’s all in the performance, as former No. 2 pick Wentz was benched last year, while Mr. Irrelevant Brock Purdy started the NFC Championship Game for San Francisco.
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