The Washington Commanders are releasing quarterback Jake Fromm despite an impressive showing in the preseason. Did Washington make the right decision with the former Georgia standout?
When training camp started, cutting Fromm wouldn’t be a headline. However, he impressed in training camp and throughout the preseason. In some eyes, Fromm outplayed backup Jacoby Brissett.
But Washington’s plan all along has been to carry two quarterbacks. Second-year quarterback Sam Howell was named the starter going into the regular season opener against the Arizona Cardinals.
Howell stood out as the clear-cut top Washington quarterback. Sometimes, Fromm looked stronger than Brissett.
Understanding why the Commanders chose Jacoby Brissett
In three preseason games, Fromm completed 23-of-34 passes for 235 yards, three touchdowns and zero interceptions. He had a 116.6 QB rating. Meanwhile, Brissett completed 23-of-36 passes for 219 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions.
It’s preseason. Hard numbers are misleading. Washington signed Brissett to challenge Howell in training camp. However, it was clear from OTAs the starting role was Howell’s to lose, and he wasn’t going to relinquish the job.
Fromm had to be leaps and bounds better than Brissett to beat him out for the QB2. The two were closer than the casual football eye saw. Certainly, Fromm could be a better long-term option than the eight-year veteran Brissett.
But Brissett has another advantage — his experience. The Commanders will lean on that experience to mentor Howell. Plus, Brissett is a better insurance policy this season in case Howell struggles or the unthinkable happens he gets injured.
Brissett is ready to step in at any moment and pick up the slack from Howell. Brissett’s entire career has been about steering the ship. He did so as a rookie in New England for the suspended Tom Brady. After backing up Andrew Luck in Indianapolis, Brissett took control of the ship following Luck’s retirement.
He was a stopgap solution for the Dolphins in 2021, and last year, he started 11 games for the Cleveland Browns while Deshaun Watson served his suspension.
It’s no the end of the road for Jake Fromm
Like Howell, Fromm is a fifth-round pick. Fromm didn’t have the same support Howell had when the Buffalo Bills drafted him in 2020. He started two games in 2021 for the New York Giants under unwanting circumstances for a lame-duck head coach.
Since arriving last year in Washington, Fromm has progressed well. There’s an argument that can be made a team should claim him to be a QB2. But surely, the Commanders are hoping he clears waivers and returns to the team’s practice squad.
Being the No. 2 may not happen at the start of the season, but he has a chance to grab the role with the Commanders in the near future. The Jake Fromm story isn’t over. Tuesday’s decision also doesn’t end his time with Washington.
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