It was a shock in April’s 2022 NFL draft when North Carolina quarterback Sam Howell fell all the way to the top pick in the fifth round. However, the Washington Commanders were happy to end Howell’s slide, and many believed it was the perfect situation for the former Tar Heel.
Howell made his NFL debut in Saturday’s preseason loss to the Carolina Panthers. While Washington lost the game, Howell led a fourth-quarter surge to give the Commanders a late 21-20 lead. Howell engineered two touchdown drives, in which he displayed his arm strength and athleticism.
Courtesy of NFL.com, you can see every Howell run and completion from Howell’s NFL debut against the Panthers.
Rookie QB @Sam7Howell shined in his first preseason game. #CARvsWAS@Commanders pic.twitter.com/AEKNgwOXQd
— NFL (@NFL) August 14, 2022
While Howell’s first touchdown run will make the highlights, one particular play stands out, further displaying that Howell has what it takes to be a starting quarterback in the NFL.
With 6:29 remaining in the game, the Commanders are facing a 3rd & 14. Howell takes the snap, scans the field, somehow escapes a sack, gives a spin move, and rolls left, throwing across his body to find wide receiver Alex Erickson for a 40-yard gain.
On a day full of highlights for Howell, that is the play that stands out because he displays multiple traits of an NFL starting quarterback.