It’s a Misery Monday and also a Jay Gruden Monday for Chris Russell, who welcomed in the former coach just minutes after he started his show with an EPIC rant wondering why it took so long to make a change at long snapper.
That kind of day, that kind of year, and that kind of team, who also saw their supposed potential long-term franchise QB benched on Sunday…and Gruden isn’t convinced it was, as Ron Rivera said, done to ‘protect’ Howell down 28-7 in the fourth.
“That was a unique deal, but at the end of the day I think he probably made the right choice, because Jacoby came in there and played really well and moved the ball and made some big time throws,” Gruden said. “Sam wasn't getting hit that much so I don't think it was to protect him, I think it was for a spark, something that they needed. I think the interception probably drove Ron a little crazy, although he did have a nice touchdown drive two drives before that, so it was weird. The way Sam's been playing and laying it on the line for the team, I don't know if Sam really deserved that, but, you know, when you're trying to win a game and you feel like your team needs a spark, then maybe Jacoby's had a couple of good weeks of practice and they wanted to see what he could do.”
Gruden has had to make decisions like that over his career, but how do you balance all of what he saw in a game and Sam’s development in a situation where the obvious choice is to make a change?
“I think the interception, I think when he got outside the pocket, he had the guy wide open right in front of him and just tried to force one down the field across his body…they’ve probably had that discussion before,” Gruden said. “It’s, ‘hey, we don't mind you outside the pocket making plays because you're good at it, but you have to make sure you make great decisions.’ When he made that bad decision, they've been kind of struggling all game, so maybe they just said let's just take a step back, let Jacoby come in here, and see what he can do.”
Gruden liked what he saw from Brissett, but as Rivera is doing, Jay would keep Howell in there as QB1 on Sunday against the Jets.
“I still stick with Sam. He's been your starter, and I hate to say that the reason why they've lost so many in a row are because of Sam, because Sam is the reason why they've been close in a lot of these games,” Gruden said.
“For the most part, they've been competitive on offense because of Sam, and his ability to move and make some plays, so I think you have to go back to Sam, personally.”
Of course, that also helps the cause of losing and getting a higher draft pick, which is about all they have left to play for, but to Gruden, you know what you have, so stick with the one you need more info on.
“I think Jacoby had a couple of good drives, but I think for the long haul, Sam is the right guy for the job,” Gruden said. “I mean, if the season started next week and you started 0-0, it would be Sam’s job. I would assume they've seen enough of Jacoby and of Sam to make the determination that Sam is the future and the better player, and I would assume Sam gives him the best chance to win, even with Jacoby's two drives that he had that were good.”
So Howell remains for now, but maybe not much longer, because if you ask Gruden, Jayden Daniels, who is skipping LSU’s bowl game and is turning pro, is indeed a Top 5 pick…and will likely be there when the Commanders pick.
“I think athletically he's a Top 5 pick. I think I've seen him throw the ball enough where he's got a good enough arm, but his escapability – he's able to throw on the move, make things happen, and just in general run -- is pretty exciting,” Gruden said. “So I think he's definitely Top 5.”
Take a listen to Gruden’s entire segment above, which includes thoughts on the special teams foibles that were partially addressed Monday, how to evaluate players in “garbage time” situations, the possibility of Aaron Rodgers returning this weekend to face the Commanders, and more!