The Washington Commanders made a big quarterback change with two games left in the regular season after the team benched starter Sam Howell for backup Jacoby Brissett ahead of Week 17.

The change wasn’t all that surprising after Howell had already been benched during each of the Commanders’ past two games – both one-score losses.

Washington is also riding a six-game losing streak where Howell threw just five passing touchdowns to eight interceptions.

Rather than sugarcoat the decision, Commanders offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy bluntly explained why Howell was benched.

“He just didn’t play well, and unfortunately that happens,” Bieniemy said, according to The Washington Post’s Nicki Jhabvala. “It’s not like anything you can put your finger on.”

Fans had plenty of reactions to Bieniemy’s comments.

Eric Bieniemy on Sam Howell: "He just didn't play well, and unfortunately that happens. It's not like anything you can put your finger on."

— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) December 28, 2023

I think Bieniemy has tried to prove himself as an oc so much he had Sam throw, throw, throw. That was not fair to Sam and has led to his regression. That’s what you can put your finger on Eric. Play calling

— Mike Nolin (@MikeNolin5) December 28, 2023

Can’t possibly be that Eric hasn’t coached well, can it?

— Lee Marvin Tiburon (@leemartintiburo) December 28, 2023

Maybe run the ball once in a while. Eric will be gone soon anyway

— Shane michalski (@michalskishane) December 28, 2023

Maybe help him know what to do when the d switches up,

Pre snap motion to diagnose the true D…

EB is a JOKE

— Rev Blev (@mcblevins12) December 28, 2023

Where Howell has flopped, Brissett has flourished in his recent on-field exposure.

The veteran has completed 18-of-23 passing attempts for 224 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions in just 43 snaps over the past two games.

Brissett led the Commanders on a late-game surge in their Week 15 loss to the Los Angeles Rams and led three second-half scoring drives to give Washington a late lead over the New York Jets in Week 16 before the defense gave up a game-ending field goal.

Nothing Brissett can do in the final two games can save the Commanders’ season, but his ability to command the huddle and the offense should help develop the rest of Washington’s young core of skill position players.

Brissett has eight years of NFL experience with five different teams and could also be showcasing his skills as a potential starting quarterback for next season – either with the Commanders or some other team.

The post Fans React To Eric Bieniemy’s Comments On Sam Howell’s Benching appeared first on The Cold Wire.