In the heart of Washington, an NFL narrative is unfolding that could reshape the destiny of the Commanders. It’s the story of Sam Howell, a rookie quarterback with immense promise, and the burning question that looms large: Is Washington doing enough to harness this golden opportunity?
As you look at Washington, both the football team and the city it represents, a history of dysfunction, underperformance, and unfulfilled promises might dominate the narrative. But delve a little deeper, and you’ll discover that Washington possesses a treasure many teams dream of—a budding quarterback playing under a rookie contract.
Coach Ron Rivera made a defining move early in the year when he declared Sam Howell as the starting quarterback for the 2023 season. At the time of Rivera’s decision, Howell had merely one NFL game on his resume. For a coach who had managed 7, 7, and 8 wins in his first three seasons in Washington, this was more than a calculated risk; it was a bold statement of intent, akin to pushing all your chips into the center of the table with the final three you have left.
Then, against all expectations, something remarkable happened. Sam Howell, a 23-year-old fifth-round draft pick from North Carolina, demonstrated a level of play that exceeded all projections. In terms of statistics, Howell found himself among the NFL’s elite quarterbacks. With 2,471 passing yards, he trailed only Tua Tagovailoa in the rankings. Howell led the league in pass attempts and completions, while securing the seventh spot in touchdown passes.
Yet, the journey was far from without its challenges. Howell shared the lead for interceptions with notable quarterbacks like Josh Allen, Mac Jones, and Jimmy Garoppolo, with nine picks. More concerning was the fact that he had been sacked a staggering 44 times—13 more times than his closest competitor, Zach Wilson.
The alarming sack count, projected to break David Carr’s NFL record of 76 set in 2002 with the Houston Texans, was a result of several factors. An underperforming Washington offensive line was one aspect, while Howell’s initial season tendency to hold onto the ball too long added to the problem. This statistic raised red flags for Washington, which had its share of history where promising young quarterbacks were pounded into the ground.
The pivotal question now is how Washington intends to make the most of the remaining two and a half seasons of Howell’s rookie contract. The Commanders have already made significant efforts to fortify the offensive line, and offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy is crafting strategies to expedite Howell’s release of the football. The more time Howell has to explore the vertical game, the more he can unleash his potent arm to stretch the field.
Jonathan Allen, a defensive lineman, voiced his belief in Howell’s potential, saying, “Sam Howell is our future. He’s our quarterback. I feel like we found our quarterback for the next 5-10 years, and I truly believe that. Not only does he make great plays on the field, but his demeanor after bad plays and not playing well. He is always able to bounce back.”
Howell himself remains firmly focused on the present. “I want to be the quarterback here for a really long time,” he emphasized after a recent victory over the New England Patriots. “How I’m going to get to that point is taking it one day at a time and doing everything that I can on a day-to-day basis.”
In the broader context, much like Trevor Lawrence and Russell Wilson before him, Howell is in a unique position to deliver a high level of performance while the team builds up around him. This is the time for Washington to transform itself into a sought-after franchise, regardless of the eventual cost of Howell’s contract extension.
For the new leadership in Washington, the message is clear. If they aspire to prove that they represent a fresh start and a departure from past struggles, the wise use of resources during Howell’s cost-effective years could be the ideal starting point
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