Commanders GM says Sam Howell is ‘ready to compete’ for starting job

Washington Commanders general manager Martin Mayhew says Sam Howell is ready to compete as the starting quarerabck.

As we continue to countdown the days until the 2023 NFL draft in late April, the Washington Commanders quarterback situation is an interesting one.

Right now, as it stands, second-year quarterback Sam Howell will battle veteran Jacoby Brissett for the starting job. Howell will enter the offseason as the starter but there will be a battle for the job as the Commanders have made clear several times this offseason.

And Commanders general manager Martin Mayhew believes Howell is ready to compete to be the starter here in 2023.

“Yeah, just his demeanor and confidence,” Mayhew said at the NFL owners meetings via Commander Country. “It reminded me a little bit of Taylor [Heinicke] from the standpoint of his ability to go out and perform his very best. And then chips fall wherever chips fall. He wasn’t necessarily viewing himself as a backup or as a starter. He’s ready to come and compete.”

Howell fell in the 2022 NFL draft before the Commanders selected him in the fifth round. He started in just one game last season, beating Dallas in Week 18 at home.

A few weeks later, the Commanders moved on from Carson Wentz and Taylor Heinicke, ready to usher in the new era with Howell in mind. But even so, head coach Ron Rivera stated that he wanted competition and the team brought in Brissett to do that.

They also could look at a rookie quarterback as well in the draft.

Either way, Howell will have his chance to win the job and a good start to the offseason will be key for him.

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