The Washington Commanders are betting big on quarterback Sam Howell. A fifth-round pick in the 2022 NFL draft, Howell appeared in one game as a rookie — and played well.
That performance went so well that the Commanders told others they planned to give Howell every chance to be the team’s starting quarterback in 2023. Washington added veteran Jacoby Brissett as a veteran mentor/potential starter if Howell falters. Brissett can play and is coming off a solid year with the Cleveland Browns.
Since Ron Rivera took over as head coach in 2020, Washington has started Alex Smith, Dwayne Haskins, Kyle Allen, Taylor Heinicke, Ryan Fitzpatrick, Taylor Heinicke, Garrett Gilbert, Carson Wentz and Howell at quarterback. Of those quarterbacks, only Haskins and Howell were drafted by Washington, and Haskins was selected before Rivera arrived.
That means in four seasons, Washington’s biggest draft investment in the game’s most important position is a fifth-round selection. That’s not to knock Howell, but stress that Rivera hasn’t always managed the quarterback position well.
With a new owner arriving soon, Rivera needs to win in 2023. And by going with Howell, he’s placed a lot of trust and expectations on the talented 22-year-old.
That’s a lot of pressure.
Jeff Kerr of CBS recently named five NFC quarterbacks under the most pressure to win in 2023. Howell made the list at No. 4. Others on the list were Jordan Love [Packers], Kirk Cousins [Vikings], Derek Carr [Saints] and Dak Prescott [Cowboys].
If there’s any quarterback who has a huge vote of confidence from his organization, it’s Sam Howell. The Commanders have spoken glowingly about the 2022 fifth-round pick who has just one NFL start under his belt. Can Howell play?
Howell is the quarterback Washington wants to be its signal-caller for 2023 and beyond, but the first order of business is to beat out Jacoby Brissett in training camp. Once Howell accomplishes that job, he has to play well enough to keep his position.
Outperforming Jalen Hurts, Dak Prescott, and Daniel Jones in the NFC East is no easy task — even if the Commanders have a talented roster that can make the playoffs. Their playoff fate comes down to Howell, whom the Commanders believe will end their revolving rotation of quarterbacks (Washington has started 12 different quarterbacks since 2018, the most in the NFL).
With an established offensive coordinator in Eric Bieniemy, Howell has to play well and win. Plenty of jobs in Washington rely on his performance.
Howell is the youngest player to make this list. Prescott, Carr and Cousins are all similar players. Carr is on a new team, but all have faced questions about their lack of postseason success. Love is replacing the legendary Aaron Rodgers.
This quote was interesting and potentially true: “Plenty of jobs in Washington rely on his performance.”
That is a lot of pressure for a young quarterback with a new offensive coordinator, and only one NFL start on his resume. Howell is much more talented than people realize, but can he handle the pressure in 2023?
