The Washington Commanders gave Sam Howell the keys to the car.
He was touted with QB1 duties in his second season in the league, and while he showed glimpses of great play, he kind of hit a wall in the second half of the campaign.
Howell and the Commanders fell flat later in the season, so it wasn’t much of a surprise to see the team decide to bench him in favor of Jacoby Brissett.
When asked about that decision, offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy didn’t want to read too much into it, simply stating that Howell wasn’t playing well and that kind of stuff happens from time to time (via JP Finlay).
Eric Bieniemy on Sam Howell’s last month: “He just didn’t play well, and unfortunately that happens. It’s not like anything you can put your finger on.”
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) December 28, 2023
Howell was expected to be the team’s QB for the future, but it seems like they’ve already lost faith in him.
Of course, that can happen, and it’s perfectly valid, but you know there’s just no turning back when your own offensive coordinator throws you under the bus.
Howell is young and showed interesting things, so there’s a chance he can get another chance in the league as a starter or a backup, but his future in the nation’s capital seems as cloudy as anybody else’s.
Josh Harris and Magic Johnson will take a “hands-on” approach in every single decision going forward, and they’re not known for their patience.
That puts Ron Rivera, Bieniemy, and Howell in a tough spot, and it’s hard to predict how this team is going to look at this time next season.
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Commanders Are Reportedly ‘Very Interested’ In Top QB Prospect
