Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell is winding down his first season as a starter in the NFL. This season has been full of ups and downs for Howell, who has shown glimpses of greatness but also had issues with turnovers and sacks, too.
Many of Howell’s issues can be chalked up to growing pains. But has he done enough to be considered Washington’s quarterback of the future? The Commanders are 4-9 and will be favored to lose each of their final four games. And while Washington’s current regime believes in Howell, the Commanders are expected to make wholesale changes after the season.
So, while Howell may be back in 2024 competing for the starting quarterback, Washington will have a top-five pick, putting the Commanders in position to select one of the 2024 NFL draft’s top passers. That list is headlined by Caleb Williams, Drake Maye and Jayden Daniels.
Maye is someone Howell knows quite well. The pair were teammates at North Carolina in 2021, Howell’s final season in Chapel Hill before declaring for the NFL draft. Now, Maye is considered an elite NFL prospect who will likely land somewhere among the top five picks in the upcoming draft.
The pair talk regularly, and Howell is excited to see Maye heading to the NFL. Maye announced this week that he was forgoing his final season of college and declared for the 2024 draft.
“I talk to Drake pretty much every day,” Howell said when asked about his relationship with Maye.
“He’s one of my really good friends, just super excited for him. What a great career, and it’s been so much fun to watch him and just knowing who he is, the type of person he is, and how hard he’s worked to get to where he is; it’s so much fun to watch. Obviously, super excited for him to be in the NFL, and he definitely deserves it. He has a good head on his shoulders and a lot of really good people around him that will help lead him in the right direction. I try to be there for him anytime he needs something. It’s getting ready to get busy for him with the training and everything, so I’m excited for him. He’ll handle it well, and he’ll come to the NFL and light it up, for sure.”
Washington’s new GM may not be ready to commit to Howell beyond 2024. The new general manager could take advantage of the Commanders’ draft position in April and select a quarterback.
What if that quarterback is Maye?