Once the Washington Commanders benched quarterback Sam Howell in Sunday’s 30-28 loss to the New York Jets, it was apparent that would be his last start of the 2023 season.
Howell was also benched in a Week 15 loss to the Los Angeles Rams. To make matters worse for Howell, Jacoby Brissett entered both games and led the offensive to immediate scores. Brissett led the Commanders to five touchdowns in six drives over the last two games. The only drive that didn’t end with a touchdown was when Washington was trying to burn the clock in Sunday’s loss to the Jets.
On Wednesday, head coach Ron Rivera officially named Brissett the starting quarterback for Sunday’s game against the San Francisco 49ers.
Brissett spoke to the media after the practice and was asked about his interactions with Howell after the quarterback change.
“Still supportive, trying to help process this for myself, but also for him, and like I said, whatever day that was when I spoke, he needs people in his corner right now,” Brissett said.
“And I stand on the table, and I’m behind him a hundred percent. I’m still on his side and this doesn’t change how I feel about him and what I think for his future that I hope it is and that he hopes it to be. It’s still support, and obviously we got to go out there and get ready to win the game, but I’m able to be able to put the game to the side to take care of my teammate too.”
This aligns with what Brissett said about Howell after Sunday’s game.
That’s leadership.
Far too often in the NFL, you hear of veteran quarterbacks choosing not to use their experience to mentor their younger counterparts. For Brissett, he has every reason to be upset, considering he thought he would have a legitimate opportunity to start when he signed.
Howell is 23 years old. There’s plenty of time left in his NFL career, and at some point in his future, he’ll look back and realize how fortunate he was to have a mentor like Brissett in his corner.