What quarterback — past or present — would you compare Washington Commanders QB Sam Howell to?
Names such as Baker Mayfield, Drew Brees, and even Colt McCoy were some of the names mentioned when discussing Howell’s size and style of play.
Obviously, Washington fans are hoping for Brees, but that’s a high bar. After all, Howell has 19 career passing attempts.
Kay Adams of FanDuel was in Ashburn Wednesday for training camp. Adams interviewed multiple Commanders, including Antonio Gibson, Chase Young, Sam Howell, Jahan Dotson and head coach Ron Rivera.
When Adams talked to Rivera, she asked him if there was a quarterback that he’d been around that Howell reminds him of.
Rivera’s answer: Former Chicago Bears quarterback Jim McMahon.
McMahon was Rivera’s teammate — and starting quarterback — on one of the greatest teams in NFL history, the 1985 Chicago Bears. McMahon was one of the most colorful personalities of the 1980s.
“You know, he’s got a little bit of Jim McMahon, a little bit of that gunslinger in him in terms of the arm……….. I’m talking about the moxie,” Rivera said. Adams loved the comparison, which Rivera explained further.
Moxie like Jim McMahon? Pocket moves like…
Ron Rivera had some interesting comps for his QB Sam Howell 👀
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— Up & Adams (@UpAndAdamsShow) August 2, 2023
“He’s a little bit quieter, you know what I’m saying; he’s a little more reserved. He’s got great movement in the pocket, reminds me a little bit of Drew Brees, but again, I’m not comparing him to Drew Brees; I’m just saying he reminds me of Drew because [of how] he moves” [in the pocket.]
Rivera then praised Howell’s arm strength.
“He’s got a really live arm, he throws a good deep ball, very accurate underneath and he’s got a quick release,” Rivera said.
Not a bad scouting report from his head coach.
The Commanders open the preseason next Friday against the Cleveland Browns.
And for those of you who are unfamiliar with McMahon, here’s this look back.