When former UNC quarterback Sam Howell was drafted by the Washington Commanders in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL, the expectation was that he’d learn the offense for a couple of season behind Carson Wentz.
The Wentz experiment failed, thrusting Taylor Heinicke into action. Heinicke thrived in limited action, but admitted this February that he’d like to start. When the offseason began, Heinicke signed with the Atlanta Falcons, where he’ll join former Tar Heels Mack Hollins, T.J Yates and Arthur Smith.
That left one quarterback on the Commanders from last year’s roster – Sam Howell, who led his team to a 26-6 upset victory over the Dallas Cowboys. Howell finished the game with 169 passing yards, two total touchdowns, one interception and 35 rushing yards.
This audition was good enough for Washington to give Howell the keys to its offense, as he is now the starting quarterback.
In the Commanders’ preseason opener last night, a 17-15 win over the Cleveland Browns, Howell played well in completing 9-of-12 passes for 77 yards, a touchdown and adding eight rushing yards. His lone touchdown pass came on a 26-yard strike to Jahan Dotson, who outmuscled a few defenders on the way towards the endzone:
Love this connection
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— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) August 12, 2023
Given that it’s just preseason, Howell shared time at quarterback with former Cleveland quarterback Jacoby Brissett, who is expected to be Howell’s backup this year. Brissett didn’t look to shabby either, running the ball into the end zone with six minutes left in the first half.
Holding off Brissett won’t be an easy task, but Ron Rivera previously committed to Howell as his starter. Quarterbacking an offense with playmakers like Dotson, former Tar Heel Dyami Brown, tight end Logan Thomas, plus a running back room with Brian Robinson Jr. and Antonio Gibson, is the perfect recipe for success for a new starter like Howell.
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