Throughout the offseason, Sam Howell has been in pole position to win the Week 1 starting role for the Commanders. Head coach Ron Rivera confirmed on Friday that the second-year quarterback is indeed the team’s No. 1 heading into the regular season. 
Howell’s status seemed to be confirmed when Carson Wentz was released and Taylor Heinicke departed in free agency. The signing of Jacoby Brissett — who has 48 starts to his name and has seen first-team work in each of his four career stops — left the door open to a competition during the offseason, however. In spite of that, it was understood both before and after the hiring of offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy that the role was Howell’s to lose.
Rivera confirmed as much earlier this month, leaving training camp sessions and preseason contests as the final steps for Howell to cement his status as QB1. The 22-year-old impressed the coaching staff during joint practices with the Ravens this week, Rivera noted, adding that Howell will play in the upcoming preseason contest between the two teams (Twitter link via NBC Sports’ JP Finlay). That will provide him further opportunity to acclimate to the NFL level, something he had limited opportunities to do as a rookie.
The North Carolina alum started only one games last season, leading to plenty of questions about his readiness to handle full-time starting duties in 2023. Howell has received consistent praise for his development in recent months, though, and he will be given the opportunity to prove Washington’s decision to bank on his improvement was a sound one. Competing for a postseason berth will be challenging in the NFC East, but it could be necessary for Rivera’s job security.
Howell will aim to not only achieve success in the immediate future, but also provide the Commanders with a long-term answer under center, something which has eluded the franchise for years. Brissett has not drawn criticism for his performance with the second-team offense and has plenty of experience as a fill-in option, but at least for the time being it will be Howell at the helm. It will be interesting to see how the latter fares as the team’s offense adjusts to Bieniemy in the hopes of taking a needed step forward in production.
Given today’s news, almost every starting quarterback situation is now accounted for. The Buccaneers’ open competition is still ongoing, and 2023 second overall pick C.J. Stroud has not yet officially been given the designation of Texans starter. In the nation’s capital, however, clarity has emerged with the expected outcome.
Well…
Either Ron Rivera knows something.
Or nothing.
Guess we’ll find out.
Start the unproven and see what he’s got instead of the mediocre backup.
Basically. Same situation for Texans, Colts and Panthers lol
This. Jacoby is no slouch as a QB but he’s also not a franchise QB either. Howell obviously has some tools that have him in this position. They’d be foolish not to at least see what they have in him and see if he can step up and be their guy.
Brissett is a B— backup and I say that respectfully. At least with Sam you have to see what he can do under a Super Bowl winning OC and a strong War core and defensive front. If Howell fails worst case scenario Rivera is out , Bienemy becomes HC and they draft a QB maybe drake maye or Caleb Williams
Or Washington could find out that their Super Bowl winning OC was riding on the best QB in the league and best offensive head coach’s coattails.
Washington once drafted a QB (Mark Rypien) two spots later than Howell who went on to be a SB MVP so maybe they get lucky again. They certainly deserve some luck at the position after the injuries suffered by Theismann, RGIII and Alex Smith.
The responses here are pretty similar to those from the previous article regarding Howell. Washington obviously doesn’t have other outstanding options, although Brissett isn’t bad, but where this team stands now, it’s smart to give the young guy a chance. I have a feeling that while I don’t think he’ll light it up and surprise highly to the upside, he won’t ‘suck’ and will show enough to think he can be developed into a solid, serviceable QB a team can win with.
I agree with what DuardWeese said (I don’t know if I’m muted, but I can’t reply to you). Washington’s rushing attack is going to really be key here, because Howell isn’t likely going to asked to light up the scoreboard on his own. Game management is about all you can reasonably ask for from a young QB who lacks experience, especially on a team that hasn’t exactly had high level offensive production recently.
The NFC East is good again, which Philly and Dallas near locks to compete for the playoffs, and the Giants likely to as well. There of course could be shaking up in the ranks, but right now Washington looks to be set as the fourth place team. This year may just be a learning experience for all of those involved, and Howell turning in a solid year managing a run based offense would be a positive for Washington.
Yeah, we would never know unless they were finally separated. Apparently, that’s what the whole NFL has thought as Bieniemy still hasn’t received a HC opportunity.
Trubisky 2.0 but w/o the draft pedigree, they’re tanking, @least Brissett gives em chance to be mediocre
Tell me you know nothing about Howell and the Commanders without telling me you know nothing about Howell and the Commanders. Lol. Only similarities between Trubisky and Howell is they both went to UNC and throw right handed.
Some of you might remember that Sam Howell was projected to be the #1 overall pick after his sophomore season. No quarterback who was draft eligible had a good season their junior year except Kenny Pickett and I don’t think he was considered a first round pick going into his junior year. So Sam Howell has some big time upside.
True, just go back what seems a generation ago although it’s only 4 – 5 years and you’ll find Howell was highly ranked. So, we know the POTENTIAL is there; let’s see if he can live up to it. I think he can at least show enough promise to keep going.
Showing potential gainst Boston college is 1 thing … bein capable NFL starting QB is another
True, but at least he has shown some potential and because of that, he should get an opportunity to show what he can do. If he flames out, he flames out. Not knocking him, and I actually think he’s a decent QB, but we’ve already seen what Brissett can and can’t do. And if he could “do”, we wouldn’t be having this conversation.