It’s no secret that the Washington Commanders have done everything possible to make Sam Howell the starting quarterback in 2023. Washington’s offseason goal was to build around Howell, sign a veteran to compete with him/mentor him and give him all the first-team reps in the offseason and training camp.
Howell didn’t disappoint the Commanders in OTAs. In head coach Ron Rivera’s eyes, he did enough to remain “QB1” heading into training camp.
In training camp, Howell has continued that positive momentum. He performed well in last week’s preseason opener against the Browns. Howell followed that with two strong practices against the Baltimore Ravens this week.
Yet, after Wednesday’s practice, Rivera didn’t want to commit to naming Howell the starting quarterback — yet. Instead, Rivera did the right thing, saying he needed to speak with offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy and quarterbacks coach Tavita Pritchard before making any announcements.
Howell met with the media Wednesday and was asked if not being named the starter yet bothered him. He had the perfect response.
“I just take it one day at a time and try to do everything I can to take advantage of the opportunity that I do have and take advantage of those first-team reps that I have right now and try to do everything I can to solidify myself as this title,” Howell said.
“The title doesn’t change anything from a work standpoint, I try to do everything I can to be the best player I can be every single day, no matter who I’m taking reps with.”
The first sentence of the second paragraph is the winner. A title doesn’t change the work. That’s the right attitude.
It’s a foregone conclusion that Rivera will name Howell the starting quarterback for the season-opener against the Arizona Cardinals. Regardless of when Rivera makes that announcement, it will not change Howell’s approach.
