Head coach Dan Quinn will begin a new era for the Washington Commanders this season, and starting Monday, the team's general manager, Adam Peters, will be able to start making his impact on the organization by negotiating with free agents for the first time since being hired from the San Francisco 49ers earlier this year.
One position of emphasis for Peters to upgrade on the Commanders is quarterback. While most of the speculation has been centered around drafting a rookie, could the team consider signing New York Giants veteran quarterback Tyrod Taylor?
Signing a veteran quarterback could benefit Washington’s young quarterback room regardless of whether or not the team drafts a new quarterback or sticks with second-year starter Sam Howell, who flashed potential last year.
“Washington is armed with the second overall pick, a selection that could (and likely will) be used on a top QB prospect like North Carolina's Drake Maye or LSU's Jayden Daniels,” Bleacher Report writes.
“Retaining journeyman backup Jacoby Brissett as a mentor would make plenty of sense, as third-year quarterback Sam Howell may be none too keen on being replaced—and that's assuming Washington doesn't simply trade Howell for a clean break. If Brissett isn't back, Tyrod Taylor of the rival Giants would be a very sensible replacement.”
Should Brissett walk in free agency, Taylor has the potential to be an even more impactful veteran on the roster, depending on the direction it plans to take. Taylor brings a wealth of knowledge, having started 58 games over his 13-year career.
The former Pro Bowler’s best days may be behind him on the field, but that doesn't mean he couldn't be an impactful mentor, especially to a player like Daniels’ who’s been compared to reigning league MVP and Baltimore Ravens starting quarterback Lamar Jackson.
Early in Jackson’s career, the Ravens had three quarterbacks to help with his development: Joe Flacco started while Robert Griffin III mentored Jackson as a rookie before he took the starting job.
Should the team decide to deploy a similar approach and start Howell early on while Taylor (a former Pro Bowler who at his peak had numbers similar to Jackson a season ago) teaches Daniels, learns, and comes in for special packages, the ceiling for the team’s future could increase drastically.
Monitor the veteran quarterback market because who Washington signs could indicate who it plans to invest the No. 2 overall pick into.
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