Not every move in the offseason will have immediate fantasy implications. However, the value of a good backup quarterback cannot be denied in this day and age. Jacoby Brissett played well while the Browns waited on Deshaun Watson, and now he'll play the veteran leader for a young Commanders team.
Contract Terms
Brissett got a one-year deal with the Commanders worth up to $10 million, with $8 million guaranteed.
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Fantasy Impact
In our Taylor Heinicke to the Falcons article, we mentioned that Washington could use veteran leadership at quarterback, which is precisely what they get with Brissett. Over the last three seasons, Brissett has bounced between three teams, playing roughly the same role. He is a bridge quarterback and quality backup. Teams aren't signing him to win games but simply to not lose them.
In Washington, Brissett's role will start as a backup and mentor to second-year quarterback Sam Howell. Washington has made it clear that they plan to begin the season with Howell as their starter. If Howell struggles, the eight-year veteran should have all the tools to step in and run new offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy's offense. Like Heinicke, Brissett has some rushing upside, and if you know he's going to start, he could have some fantasy upside in the right matchups. Brissett has scored 10 rushing touchdowns over the last four years.
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Considering his 11 starts with Cleveland last year, Brissett as the starter could be great for Terry McLaurin, Jahan Dotson, and whoever starts at tight end (Logan Thomas, as of now). In those first 11 weeks with Brissett as the starter, Amari Cooper was the 10th-best wide receiver in fantasy. It took a little time, but Donovan Peoples-Jones was a top-30 option from Weeks 4-11. Finally, David Njoku was a top-5 tight end with Brissett from Weeks 1-7 before sustaining an injury.
Washington will likely start the season with Howell, but if Brissett can play as well as he did in Cleveland, it might be hard to argue that he is a better option for the fantasy value of everyone involved. But, unfortunately, NFL teams do not care about fantasy value.
Fantasy Fallout
The Browns are all-in on Deshaun Watson. With the money they gave him, they have no choice. Brissett is a high-quality backup, and the contract the Commanders offered was likely too much for the Browns to give to a backup. They'll only miss him if Watson is hurt, but they simply couldn't put more money into this position with other holes to fill.
Stock Watch
If you're in a league deep enough to roster backup quarterbacks, there aren't many better options than Jacoby Brissett. Unless he wins the job early in the preseason, you won't be looking for his name in your standard redraft leagues, but if he takes the job, he will be a top-tier streaming option and a must-add in two-quarterback leagues.