Commanders Out on Lamar Jackson: 3 QBs Washington Could Sign Instead
The Washington Commanders are going to make a change to their quarterback room this offseason, but the biggest free agent on the market, Baltimore Ravens' Lamar Jackson, won't be making the move across the DMV, according to ESPN's John Keim.
Kimberley A. Martin, a widely respected ESPN journalist, also reported the Commanders "are not likely to pursue" him either.
So if the Commanders already knew within minutes after Jackson was given the non-exclusive tag that they weren't going to sign him, they must have an idea on who they will add next to Sam Howell for the upcoming season.
Here's a look at three players the Commanders could look to pair Howell with apart from Jackson ...
Taylor Heinicke
The Commanders could look to run it back with Heinicke, who enters free agency this spring.
Washington doesn't see Heinicke as a long-term solution, but if the team is looking for someone to support Sam Howell and possibly be a spot-starter throughout the year, he could be the guy.
Heinicke will look for starting gigs this offseason, but he's also open to being a high-quality backup, a role that could be available to him in Washington again in 2023.
"Other than that, obviously I want to play - I want to start,'' Heinicke said. "If that opportunity doesn't come up, being a backup quarterback in the NFL is probably one of the best jobs in America."
This past season, Heinicke threw for 1,859 yards, 12 touchdowns and six interceptions while starting nine games for the Commanders.
Teddy Bridgewater
The Commanders could provide a new home for Bridgewater, who is looking for his fifth team in as many years.
While Bridgewater was merely a backup this season for the Miami Dolphins behind Tua Tagovailoa, he started two games this year.
But Bridgewater was a full-time starter in 2021, going 7-7 with the Denver Broncos.
Bridgewater could return to the starter ranks with the right opportunity, and he provides a potential bridge for Howell if he isn't ready to be a full-time QB1.
Jameis Winston
Winston is still under contract with the New Orleans Saints, but will likely hit free agency after June 1 when he holds a $12 million cap hit.
The Saints can save that money and clearly have no plans to start Winston after signing Derek Carr to a massive four-year deal.
Winston presents a similar path that Bridgewater creates as someone who has been successful as a starter in the past, but could also give opportunity to go in a different, younger direction.
Winston could be the team's Week 1 starter or backup and the Commanders could sign him to a contract with incentives that could help him reach the number he wants, but could limit him to a smaller guarantee if the team opts to go with Howell.
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