Washington Commanders head coach talks about why "ability to use his legs" was a big reason why the team signed quarterback Jeff Driskel ahead of Dallas.
In a season filled with twists and turns at quarterback for the Washington Commanders, Monday morning offered maybe the final development at the position this season after the team announced the signing of Jeff Driskel off the Arizona Cardinals’ practice squad. While the status of Marcus Mariota for Thursday’s game against Dallas remains uncertain with Quinn noting “we’re not sure where we’re at yet”, it gives the coaching staff familiarity at the position with Driskel on the 2024 roster having taken snaps in one game.
“I think the experience part, for sure, was a big part of that,” Quinn said of Driskel’s signing on Monday. “That was really the reason behind it. We're really glad Jeff's here with us, obviously, with some history within the system that can help. And when we visited with him, doesn’t have to have everything. What's the part that you would feel comfortable with if called upon? And so we reiterated that to him [Monday]. These are two really good teammates.
Quinn explained how the newest addition fits into the available quarterback room over the final two games.
“First thing you think about with Jeff is like extending plays. It's his ability to use his legs. He's got real speed. Those are some of the things that make Jeff unique. And I would say probably more closely related to the background of Marcus from read and zone-read option and being in the gun and working in that format, that's been a big part of his career. And so he's, like, super comfortable in those types of plays, but he's been a great teammate. We love coaching him here last year. And so when this unfortunate opportunity came about, a chance to add him to the mix, it was good. And there's a familiar area that you can step in quickly. And that helps, especially on that short week.”
One day after hinting at Phillip Rivers’ comeback as reason for optimism why the Commanders could look outside the organization to settle the position, Quinn was honest that “it would still be tough” to get the veteran up to speed in 72 hours.
“But it does help knowing that there's some history that goes along with the system and how he's done that. Jeff’s used to a no-huddle environment, certainly plays we know that he likes and knows that he performs well. So I'd say, without having to study the entire playbook, in one night to say everything's available, you'd much prefer to say, these are the featured plays and you can condense it if it was Jeff or anybody else, into that spot too.”
Still, it will be Josh Johnson who will “get the lion’s share” of the starter reps.
“There's a short week, there’s not tons that go, but Josh off to a good start. Obviously, last night, [we] began on the process for the game plan and having him in there. And this morning, so we just had our first walk through,” Quinn added. “And so what's the same? What's different? How will we work that? That'll be something that we'll work through over the next couple of days, but not a lot different for him as it is for anybody to say, what's the things best and how will we feature them?”
But the move also begs the question - what does that mean for Sam Hartman?
“We tried to give Sam as much playing time as we could from the preseason,” Quinn said. “That was a big part of the goal for the evaluation. What I've seen, a lot of the growth wouldn't be able to show on a stat sheet or something from this season, but it definitely has been going like this with Sam. And so going into it, we just want to make sure you know three guys onto the roster, and in that space, Jeff was on a practice squad.”
Meanwhile, the intriguing aspect of the injuries at quarterback was who would step in as the backup if Josh Johnson went down? And with a slew of injuries impacting those backup plans, it turns out it was one of the running backs in line as the next emergency quarterback in the second half vs. Philadelphia.
“Luke [McCaffrey] was, of course, one, and yes, [Colson] Yankoff was another. But in the last game, there was not Yank or Luke. So you ready for the one that was going to be in the last one? Not David Blough - good guess. It was going to be - and obviously working in some Wildcat - Jaylin Lane. You can imagine my nervousness that took place after one's out, and others there. And so generally in that space, who’s had experience taking snaps and handing off and doing those things,” he added.
“It became Jeremy McNichols. So, like, there's always a contingency planning. But, yeah, it's funny that you brought that up. That actually went through my head after the first punt.”
While Washington will once again enter the week short-handed, Quinn also confirmed that Andrew Wylie will step in at right guard for Sam Cosmi, who was placed on the reserve/injured list on Monday after suffering an injury in Saturday’s loss.
“You knew it was coming for him to take these steps forward, coming back off the knee. And I think even over the last few weeks, you really felt that even more,” Quinn said. “So disappointed.”