Sam Howell will “more than likely” be the Washington Commanders’ first-string quarterback entering the 2023 offseason, coach Ron Rivera said in an interview with NFL Network on Wednesday. Here’s what you need to know:
- Howell, a fifth-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, started and won Washington’s regular-season finale against Dallas.
- The Week 18 victory was Howell’s first NFL start, spending the majority of the 2022 season behind quarterbacks Carson Wentz and Taylor Heinicke.
- The Athletic reported last month that during conversations with potential offensive coordinator candidates, the Commanders shared that they anticipate Howell entering the offseason program as QB1.
Backstory
Howell flashed arm strength and mobility during his first career start, accounting for two touchdowns and 169 passing yards in the 26-6 win over the Cowboys in January. With Heinicke entering free agency and Washington expected to release Wentz, Howell becomes the only rostered quarterback sure to return.
The Commanders — who finished last in the NFC East at 8-8-1 — ranked 24th in the NFL last season with an average of 18.9 points per game. Washington also holds the No. 16 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Explaining the decision
To believe in a 2022 fifth-round pick with one career start as your QB1 during the offseason program is quite the statement. What gives here? Washington wants more mobility at quarterback. Howell has the legs but also the inclination to pick up critical yards on the ground when needed. There’s also his strong arm and a palpable sense of pride with the 22-year-old. Then there’s the nominal salary ($870,000) and cap hit ($960,400) for a starter, which offers a potential windfall for the front office assembling a roster.
Of course, declaring Howell as the front-runner makes sense since — and this is important — he’s the only QB on the roster, or will be once the team eventually releases Wentz. Pushing the Howell narrative suggests the Commanders are not in the market for a high-priced option, but a veteran will sign. The question is whether that’s someone who could start elsewhere, like Andy Dalton or Jacoby Brissett, or a pure backup. Using a first- or second-round pick also seems dubious, though we’ll have a better feeling for team needs and the draft board closer to the draft.
Rivera has yet to produce a winning record in any of his three seasons with Washington and now faces career uncertainty with the team’s potential sale. That’s a rough spot to rely on a quarterback with Howell’s limited NFL resume, even though the benefits are intriguing. — Standig
What they’re saying
“We’ll go into OTAs, minicamp and training camp with Sam Howell more than likely QB1, and we’ll see what happens,” Rivera said Wednesday. “It’s his opportunity. This is a challenge to him. If he comes out and does the things we believe he’s capable of he can most certainly be our guy. But we’ll find out.”
Required reading
(Photo: Brad Mills / USA Today)
