Sam Howell is out and Jacoby Brissett is in, and in meeting the media Wednesday for the first time after the announcement was made, Howell was as even-keeled as he has been all season in taking the news in stride.
“Trying to process it, but just going to take it on day at a time, be who I am as a person and be a good teammate, and be here for my teammates and do everything I can to help the team,” Howell said.
Brissett will start against the 49ers Sunday, with the Commanders’ starter in the finale against Dallas TBD, but if Jacoby has similar success against San Francisco as he has against the Rams and Jets, it’s likely he remains in the job.
That could mean not only the end of Howell’s season, but also his time in DC, if the next regime decides to move on rather than keep Sam as either the starter or a backup – but wherever it falls, he’s using it all as a learning experience.
“I think the main thing is, I know my worth and the type of player I’m capable of being, and this isn’t going to make me forget all the things I think I’ve done well this year,” Howell said. “I think I’ve shown at times that I can be a good player in this league, and those are things I’ll fall back on and will keep my confidence up. I know I can play in this league, and I just have to keep doing the things I need to do to get better.”
Brissett, too, was ‘still processing’ when he met the media, but said ‘that’s how this league works, and now it’s time to go out and prepare to win a game.’
“I just have to be myself, try to play good football and play clean,” Brissett said. “Coaches make the decision as far as who plays and who doesn’t, but I just went out there to be myself and try to help our team win.”
He also admitted he didn’t expect to wait until Week 17 to get a start, saying he came to DC ‘to compete for a job,’ but he’s ready…even if it is former teammate Chase Young and a strong Niners defense on the other side.
“Oh trust me, I know he's on the other side,” Brissett smiled about Young.
And, whatever happens after this week, Brissett will continue doing what he has done all year: trying to help Howell develop so he, too, can help his teams win.
“I’m still supportive, trying to help him process this,” Brissett said, “and as I’ve said, he needs people in his corner right now. I’m behind him 100 percent, and this doesn’t change how I feel about him and what I think about his future. It’s still support, and obviously we have to go out there and try to win a game, but I’m also able to put the game aside and support my teammate, too.”
