Jacoby Brissett has no ill will for Browns as he signs with Commanders
Jacoby Brissett could’ve harbored plenty of, at best, mixed feelings about his time with the Browns. Considering the circumstances in which he spent his one season in Cleveland, it would’ve been understandable human nature to walk away from it with a bitter taste.
However, as Brissett moved on to a new opportunity with the Washington Commanders, the quarterback who started the Browns’ first 11 games last season heads east with nothing but good things to say about his former team.
“It was good,” Brissett told Washington-area media during an introductory Zoom call Thursday. “I have literally no bad thoughts or words for that organization, that team, the fans. They embraced me with opens arms. … So I have no bad or ill feelings towards them.”
Brissett agreed to a one-year deal with the Commanders on Wednesday, the first day free agents could sign. The deal is worth $8 million base that could grow up to $10 million with incentives.
In Washington, Brissett is once again going in as the backup initially, this time behind second-year quarterback Sam Howell. However, there’s also a chance he could win the starting job if he blows away head coach Ron Rivera and offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy.
Brissett came to Cleveland knowing he was going to be the backup, having signed with the Browns one day after their March 18, 2022, trade to acquire Deshaun Watson from the Houston Texans. He knew, however, he was also going to get a chance to start for however long Watson would be suspended by the league for the various allegations of sexual assault and sexual misconduct from massage appointments while with Houston.
However, Brissett said the Browns never lied to him about what the situation was going to be for him.
“Obviously going into a unique situation, it was complete transparency throughout the whole process,” Brissett said. “I have a lot of respect and, honestly, love for a lot of those guys. I’m glad I was able to meet a lot of those guys, because I know those relationships will last longer than football will.”
The Browns went 4-7 over Brissett’s 11 starts, although it would be unfair to pin all of the blame on the quarterback. He was 236-of-369 (64%) for 2,608 yards with 12 touchdowns and six interceptions, earning a quarterback rating of 88.9.
Brissett’s last start was a 23-17 overtime home win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Nov. 27. In the win, he defeated his former New England Patriots teammate and friend, Tom Brady, who he quoted afterwards by calling the win “f****** awesome.”
Brissett, with months of reflection time, was pleased with his performance as the Browns’ quarterback.
“I thought I got better each game,” Brissett said. “I thought I matured not only at the position, but as a man throughout those games. Every week was a challenge, not only on the field, but off the field with kind of handling the situation and being able to cut through it and be able to go out there and perform, not only on the field but also being a good teammate. Obviously, the supporting cast and the guys around me played a tremendous part in that.”
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