Commanders letting OC Candidates know that Sam Howell will start at QB
Washington Commanders head coach Ron Rivera and general manager Martin Mayhew met with the media TuesdayMany fans were concerned that the team would try to fire a veteran quarterback again this offseason.
Ron Rivera tried the veteran approach over the two previous offseasons. In 2021, Washington signed Ryan Fitzpatrick, who didn’t even make it out of the first half of the first game and was lost for the season.
In 2022, multiple draft picks were traded by the Commanders to the Indianapolis Colts for Carson Wentz. The trade didn’t make much sense because the Colts would have likely released Wentz. But Washington’s desperation led to the panic move.
Wentz began seven games in 2022 and the experience was as expected.
Shortly after Rivera and Mayhew’s presser, the Commanders fired offensive coordinator Scott Turner.
This meant that the Commanders would need to find a new quarterback and offensive coordinator. They would, or they wouldn’t.
According to a report from Jonathan Jones of CBS SportsWashington has revealed to prospective offensive coordinators that Sam Howell will be starting at quarterback in 2023.
Fifth-round draft pick in 2022 NFL Draft, Howell started the Dallas Cowboys’ final game and performed well. Howell completed 11 of 19 passes, gaining 169 yards and a touchdown. He also displayed his agility, running for 35 yards and scoring.
While Turner did a good job of limiting Howell’s reads in his first start, the rookie passer made multiple impressive throws at all levels of the field, including a 52-yard strike to Terry McLaurin.
Jones also mentioned that the Commanders want Taylor Heinicke to return as an alternative to Howell.
It’s smart of Washington to let potential coordinator options know your plan ahead of time. That’s something this franchise hasn’t always done, often forcing players on coaches. If a candidate is interested in the job, he must present his plan to maximize Howell.