The Washington Commanders wrapped up the 2022 NFL season with a big 26-6 win over the Dallas Cowboys Sunday at FedEx Field. The game saw rookie quarterback Sam Howell make his first career start, leading the Commanders to multiple scoring drives. Howell, who passed for 169 yards and rushed for 35 yards, accounted for both of Washington’s touchdowns.
One week ago, Washington fans were booing Carson Wentz off the field in the first quarter, wanting head coach Ron Rivera to turn back to fan favorite Taylor Heinicke.
In Sunday’s win over the Cowboys, it was clear that Howell is the current favorite.
After the game, Rivera wasn’t ready to name a starting quarterback for 2023, but Twitter was ready for Howell to head into the offseason as Washington’s “QB1.”
We have compiled some of Twitter’s top reactions to Howell’s NFL debut.
Crowd reactions
Fans went nuts for Sam Howell leaving the field pic.twitter.com/LrkZvBYAJ2
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) January 9, 2023
Fan reactions
How Cowboys fans feeling about third string Sam Howell beating 160 million dollar Dak pic.twitter.com/CZSF9rAcnY
— Automatic Albert (@AlbertsLocks) January 8, 2023
SAM HOWELL IS THE ONE🔥 pic.twitter.com/GVBfnUVHUU
— JP (@BucksFanJP) January 8, 2023
Sam Howell and Terry McLaurin next season pic.twitter.com/hvDpwQDVIo
— very obsessed westeros fan (@jamesda92194721) January 9, 2023
Local media reactions
Sam Howell in his first NFL regular-season game played w/ poise, made good decisions, was accurate, displayed arm strength & was a major run threat, & he did all of this despite playing w/ a depleted supporting cast & against a great Cowboys defense. Very impressive. #Commanders
— Al Galdi (@AlGaldi) January 9, 2023
Those asking why not Howell earlier in the season? Probably because he's a 5th-rd rookie & they didn't think he was ready. He did good things. He's got talent. He's cheap/under contract 3 more yrs. He's in the mix for '23 as will (likely) another QB not on roster right now. #HTTC
— Kevin Sheehan (@kevinsheehanDC) January 9, 2023
Sam Howell just hit a home run to Terry McLaurin. Dime. 52 yards without any YAC. 60 yards in the air.
— Grant Paulsen (@granthpaulsen) January 8, 2023
Sam Howell just dropping some serious dimes out here.
Wow.
— Scott Abraham (@Scott7news) January 8, 2023
More fan reactions
Me looking at these coaches after seeing the Sam Howell show. pic.twitter.com/YrqjRGHbHP
— Chris (@ChrisWorthy_) January 8, 2023
So Sam Howell, Chris Paul, and Khaleke Hudson all played well today. Tell me again why apparently talented young guys were kept behind less effective vets until the last game of the year.
— KyleSmith4GM (@Smith4Gm) January 9, 2023
Can’t wait to see Sam Howell toss it around this afternoon
Scott Turner: pic.twitter.com/uz58cSfeMu
— Not Robert Griffin (@Pseudo_RGIII) January 8, 2023
If you are telling me right now we can either start Sam Howell on a rookie deal or pay Derrick Carr 40 mil or Jimmy G 25-30 mil I’m taking Howell all day with his potential and on a cheap rookie deal where you can use that money you save for OL, LB, & CB.
— Zac (@DCzWall) January 9, 2023
Sam Howell is QB1 next year. Don’t even bother. Build up the OL in the draft
— Sam Howell SZN (@MlKERlZZO2HELL) January 8, 2023
Son of a bitch. Sam Howell is gonna make us fall in love isn’t he
— ᑎIᑕK ᗩᔕᕼOOᕼ 🤧 (@NickAshooh) January 8, 2023
Even more reactions
Me on Fanatics looking for a Sam Howell jersey #HTTC pic.twitter.com/f4NE1AJV7m
— Michelle is Terry McLaurin’s Pimp (@mizspencer7) January 9, 2023
There's an empty spot in the Ring of Fame for Sam Howell.🤣🤣🤣 pic.twitter.com/i0fif2FKqS
— Disco (@discoque5) January 8, 2023
SAM HOWELL TODAY TOMORROW FOREVER!!!! THAT'S MY QUARTERBACK!!!! STEVEN CHEAH'S NUMBER 1 PICK!!!!
— Eric Nathan (@BarstoolNate) January 8, 2023
SAM HOWELL!!!! THAT'S MY QUARTERBACK!!!!! BOOK YOUR HOTEL FOR NEXT YEAR'S SUPER BOWL BABYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!
— Eric Nathan (@BarstoolNate) January 8, 2023
Final LHU of the year. Sam Howell could possbly be the guy pic.twitter.com/upG0NqNiqe
— PFT Commenter (@PFTCommenter) January 9, 2023
Sam howell cooking pic.twitter.com/5x9mkmCxUh
— PAIN (@Xommanders) January 8, 2023
