The Washington Commanders can take a big leap on offense in 2023. The Commanders are deep at wide receiver, led by Terry McLaurin, and feature a good group of running backs, led by Brian Robinson Jr. and Antonio Gibson.
One of the biggest reasons for optimism is new offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy. Bieniemy is coming off a five-year stint as offensive coordinator for the Kansas City Chiefs but decided to take on the challenge of leading Washington’s offense in the hope of landing a head-coaching job.
However, while those are reasons to be optimistic, so much depends on quarterback Sam Howell and improvement from the offensive line. The Commanders believe in Howell, but the rest of the NFL is less optimistic that Howell can be a solid starting quarterback.
CBS Sports released its third annual ranking of NFL “triplets” recently, and Washington ranked near the bottom. The triplet rankings feature each team’s quarterback, top running back and top pass catcher [either a wide receiver or tight end].
The Commanders were ranked in the “bottom” tier, coming in at No. 29.
Last year: 22nd
QB: Sam Howell RB: Brian Robinson WR: Terry McLaurin
The Commies are signaling much more confidence in Howell than our panel apparently has. I feel like this ranking would be quite a bit higher if Jacoby Brissett were expected to start under center for Washington, but that’s just an opinion. One of these days, McLaurin will hopefully have a surefire top QB throwing him the ball. He’s capable of so much if he eventually gets that chance.
The Commies? Seriously?
“Quite a bit higher” if Brissett was expected to start?
The author is right. It is just an opinion. And opinions are subjective.
While Howell has proven nothing yet, consider this another who likely has never watched him play and is going off the narrative of, “But he’s a fifth-round quarterback, though.”
It’s up to Howell to prove everyone right — or wrong — depending on how you view his chances in 2023 and beyond.
