Commanders Coach Ron Rivera Details Expectations for Sam Howell as Starting QB
Washington Commanders new starting quarterback Sam Howell is slowly adjusting to life as the offensive leader. With OTA's nearly complete, Howell has been on a steady learning curve with offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy.
Coming into the starting position due to Carson Wentz and Taylor Heinicke no longer on the roster, it has been a good learning experience for Howell, but there are still expectations placed on him by head coach Ron Rivera.
"I think he's a very consistent quarterback," Rivera said. "He's a good decision maker, I think he throws a good ball. It's really just about understanding what is expected. You need a position where a guy, first and foremost, can manage a game and understand how the temp of the game is going and recognize when he has to make a play to help us win a football game or when he can take control of a game and slow the tempo down or speed the tempo.
"I mean, those are things that you hope quarterbacks get and I think he does have that. I really do. I think the big part for him more so than anything else is just going to continue to be getting reps and reps and reps."
Howell has only one career regular-season start to his name, a Week 18 win over the Dallas Cowboys. But there were no expectations placed on Howell as it was a free hit.
But now, as the team's leader, Howell needs to learn Bieniemy's style of offense that he wants to implement and then go out on the field and do it. Howell has hit the ground running through OTA's and has shown command in the huddle, coupled with some good throws to his offensive weapons.
This has all been done against air, so it doesn't exactly count for much, but there have been signs of improvement, and for a player who has only one career start, that is all Washington can ask of right now.
Once the regular season rolls around, though, the offseason teachings will have Howell better placed to lead this team like Rivera knows he can and knowing what is expected of him from game to game will be paramount to the Commanders' success.
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