Commanders QB Sam Howell Has 'Good Body of Work,' Recent Struggles Don't Dim Future
Sam Howell's once-promising season as the Washington Commanders' quarterback has spiraled - and his future has subsequently grown murky.
Howell, in his second professional season and first as a starter, has been benched in each of his past two starts, both losses ... and is at risk of losing his job indefinitely to backup Jacoby Brissett.
Over his last three outings, Howell has completed 29 of 71 passes (40.8 percent) for 285 yards, one touchdown and four interceptions.
Nov 12, 2023; Seattle, Washington, USA; Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell (14) signals to the sideline during the fourth quarter against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field.
Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
Still, Commanders coach Ron Rivera said Howell's sudden struggles don't change how he views the 23-year-old signal caller on a broader scale.
"He's got a very good body of work," Rivera said Tuesday. "It's been tough the last couple of weeks."
For the season, Howell's completed 63.2 percent of his passes for 3,624 yards, 19 touchdowns and 17 interceptions while taking a league-high 60 sacks.
Rivera offered his take on why Howell's play has regressed of late.
"The length of the season is probably wearing on him as well as the number of plays he's had and the number of hits he's absorbed," Rivera said.
The last two weeks, Rivera's said postgame he feels Howell's has been pressing. Washington's fourth-year coach reiterated similar thoughts Tuesday.
"Right now, you watch him and he’s trying to make the perfect play," Rivera said. "I think he’s reading a little bit more into some of the things that he sees out there. And I think he’s just got to settle in and trust what he’s seeing initially and stick with the offense."
Rivera clarified he's still working through who ultimately starts at quarterback, but one thing remains certain - Howell's looked far from the gunslinger he was in the season's first 12 games.
And as Washington looks to break its six-game losing streak, making a change under center may be a necessary step.
