While Sam Howell is expected to be the Washington Commanders’ starting quarterback in Week 1 of the 2023 NFL season, the team’s head coach unexpectedly left the door wide open to a different QB being under center on Sept. 10.
Due to a couple of decades of poor management, the Washington Commanders are not in a good position when it comes to the most important position on the football field: Quarterback. The franchise has never been strong in finding a franchise signal caller and hasn’t invested a premium NFL Draft pick in the position since Robert Griffin III 11 years ago.
Related: Love Fantasy Sports? Get Top FREE Insights From One Of The World’s Best Players Today!
In recent seasons, the team has chosen to rely on veterans from rival teams, and unfortunately, that strategy has not panned out for the organization either. As they enter the 2023 season the Commanders’ quarterback room will feature 2022 fifth-round pick Sam Howell, journeyman Jacoby Brissett, and career backup Jake Fromm.
It’s not a group that will garner much excitement, but Washington fans are nevertheless hopeful that Howell can evolve into the young star QB they have longed for. The 22-year-old showed some potential during the preseason last year and offered up something to hang his hat on in the team’s 26-6 Week 18 win over the Dallas Cowboys.
Sam Howell will need to impress during Washington Commanders’ preseason to win starting job
The assumption ahead of their 2023 campaign is that Howell is a solid lock to be the starting QB in Week 1. However, that may no longer be assured. During his meeting with the press on Thursday, Washington Commanders head coach Ron Rivera explained that the preseason will be make-or-break for the Young QB and that veteran Jacoby Brissett is nipping at his heels.
- Sam Howell stats (2022): 1 game, 57.9 Completion %, 169 passing yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
“This is a chance to learn the base fundamentals of our offense. And (Howell’s) been doing it since OTA’s and minicamp. Now we’re in training camp, we’re in our eighth day now. So all these things are coming together. What you really need to look for is when we get on the field, when we do gameplan, when we do prepare. I know it’s just preseason games, but those are going to be paramount to telling everybody where he is, and what’s his growth.
“And at the same time, as I’ve said a couple of times, don’t sleep on Jacoby. He’s done a nice job as well. I mean, we got some really good quarterback play going on right now.”
-Ron Rivera
The Washington Commanders’ preseason games will be fascinating to watch because it seems like they very much will decide who is the starting QB in Week 1.
Brissett performed well as the starter of the Cleveland Browns last season as he replaced Deshaun Watson during his suspension. Throwing for over 2,600 yards and 12 touchdowns in 11 starts.