5 position battles to watch at Commanders training camp in 2023

Commanders third-string QB

Having depth at the game's most important position is more critical now than ever. In 2022, only 10 NFL quarterbacks started all 17 games for their respective teams.

In total, 69 different quarterbacks started at least one NFL game last year. This was the most all-time for a non-strike season.

The Washington Commanders started at least three quarterbacks in every season dating back to 2018, trotting out Carson Wentz, Taylor Heinicke, and Sam Howell under center last year.

With injuries an inevitable part of the treacherous 17-game slog that is the NFL regular season, the Commanders wisely signed journeyman backup Jacoby Brissett to provide quality depth behind Howell.

Well-traveled and well-respected, Brissett started 11 games for the Cleveland Browns in 2022. The eight-year veteran completed 64 percent of his passes for 2,608 yards with 12 touchdowns to six interceptions as a fill-in before giving way to starter Deshaun Watson.

Brissett comes to the Commanders as competition and a mentor for Howell, the second-year signal caller Washington selected in the fifth round of last year's NFL Draft.

Howell started the Commanders' final contest of 2022, leading Washington to a 26-6 upset win over the rival Dallas Cowboys in Week 18. He completed 11 of 19 passes for 169 passing yards with one touchdown and one interception, rushing for 35 yards and another score on the ground.

The former North Carolina stud showed flashes of elite potential in his limited action. Howell will be given every chance to take hold of the starting job in Washington with Brissett offering a valuable contingency plan if things go south.

With the NFL re-implementing an old rule this offseason to allow for an emergency quarterback after the San Francisco 49ers debacle in the 2022 playoffs, having a capable third-string passer is pivotal in today’s game.

Jake Fromm spent the 2022 season on Washington’s practice squad and the former fifth-round pick will do battle with undrafted rookie Tim DeMorat for the Commanders' third quarterback spot.

Fromm started two games for the New York Giants in 2021, completing a pitiful 45 percent of his throws for just 210 passing yards with one touchdown to three interceptions,

DeMorat was a priority undrafted free agent signing by Washington after not hearing his name called in the 2023 Draft. The former Fordham star dominated at a lower level of competition in college and has all the tools to be a long-time NFL backup at the very least.

Younger, cheaper, and possessing a much better arm - don’t be surprised if the UDFA from the FCS ranks easily surpasses Fromm for the Commanders QB3 role in 2023.