WATCH: Commanders coach shares where Sam Howell sits on depth chart entering 2023 season
The Washington Commanders decided to take Sam Howell in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL Draft, selecting a once highly thought of quarterback out of North Carolina. He spent most of the season learning behind Taylor Heinicke and Carson Wentz before starting in Week 18.
Head coach Ron Rivera was so impressed with the performance, he announced Howell as the team’s quarterback heading into offseason workouts. There will still be something to prove, as Heinicke and Wentz are still on the roster.
But Rivera seems to be excited for the challenge ahead of Howell. If he does fully win the job, the UNC product would be just the latest to start for Washington.
“We will go into OTAs, minicamp, and training camp with Sam Howell more than likely QB1,” Rivera said. “We’ll see what happens. It’s his opportunity. This is a challenge to him. If he comes out and does the stuff we believe he’s capable of, he most certainly can be our guy. But we’ll find out.”
Washington had nothing to play for heading into Week 18. They were not able to make the playoffs after being in a loaded NFC East. They decided Howell should get the start, throwing him out there against the Dallas Cowboys.
Howell did more than impress, leading to Commanders to a win. He threw for 169 yards, a touchdown, and an interception and rushed for another score with 35 yards. An overall impressive debut for a rookie quarterback in the final week of the season.
The performance will now be rewarded according to Rivera, with Howell currently holding down the starting job. No official schedule has been released by the NFL quite yet. But when something is announced, we will know where Howell will make his second career start with Washington.