Noah Brown turned out to be a boon for the Washington Commanders as a post-training camp signing before a kidney injury sidelined him for the team's final four regular season games and playoff run.
Now, the veteran wideout is returning to the Burgundy & Gold, about a month removed from being cleared by doctors, and excited to have an even greater impact.
"I'm just training and taking the offseason...as if I finished the season healthy," Brown told reporters after re-signing with Washington on a one-year deal. "I'm completely ready to go."
Brown's kidney injury occurred in Week 13 against the Tennessee Titans -- a game the Commanders won handedly, 42-19, and broke their three-week losing skid before their bye week. Brown initially thought that he had gotten the wind knocked out of him and was warming up to get back on the field when he realized that it could be something more serious.
Brown went to the locker room and did not return to the action. About a week later, head coach Dan Quinn said Brown would likely miss the rest of the season with a "significant" internal injury. Brown described the weeks after as "a rough time for me" but added that it wasn't the first time he had to miss extended time with an injury.
"I feel like I'm built for these kind of things, and I'll come back better on the other end," Brown said.
Brown was signed by the Commanders following their final roster cuts to provide their receiver with a body type -- 6-foot-2 and 225 pounds -- that was in short supply. He made his debut with the team in Week 2 and caught all three of his targets for 56 yards, including a 34-yard reception that helped move Washington in range for a 34-yard field goal. He finished the season with 35 catches for 453 yards, ranking fourth on the team and third-best season of his career.
Brown also played an important role in team history by catching the game-winning Hail Mary pass against the Chicago Bears, but his impact went further than once-in-a-lifetime plays. Quinn described losing Brown for the season as "tough news," not just because of what he added to the offense but how he fit with the team.
"We love him and his play style, the identity of how he goes," Quinn said. "And so, that one hurts. He's been absolutely one of our glue guys."
There was mutual interest from Brown on a return. He felt like he was a good fit in Washington, both in terms of the team's culture and offensive scheme. He was able to run their whole route tree, help out as a blocker in the run game and find success on third downs (21 of Brown's catches resulted in first down).
Brown is excited about improving his "entire game" now that he can get a full offseason with the Commanders' staff.
"It's only gonna benefit," Brown said. "Just more work with the guys. As opposed to previous years, I'm able to train full go the whole time, and I think that'll help me put out a full season, which will only help this team."
And Brown knows that more work will be required for the Commanders to replicate the success they had in 2024. "We would be crazy," he said, "to think that the same things we did will get us past that." He wants the team and himself to improve on every level to get a chance at moving past the NFC Championship and to the Super Bowl.
So, he's leaving everything from last year in the past, kidney injuries and Hail Mary catches alike.
"I'm just looking forward to going out there and making some new memories."
