Sam Howell Ending Commanders Long, Long Quarterback Search?

The Washington Commanders' quarterback situation has been a mess since Ron Rivera became the head coach in 2020.

Rivera may have finally found his answer at the position with Sam Howell.

Howell continued to prove the Commanders' faith in him, as he was 19 of 25 for 188 yards and two touchdowns in their 29-28 win over the Baltimore Ravens. The win snapped Baltimore's 24-game winning streak in the preseason.

"We know how important the quarterback position is in the league and how important it is in this area," Rivera said. "We've been looking for one, and I think we have an opportunity to have a guy that has a chance to be a really good football player for us."

Howell displayed the poise and throwing ability his coaches and teammates have raved about. Howell found a way to convert on multiple third and longs because of his ability to hang in the pocket and find the open man. The second-year quarterback also used his legs to extend plays and escape pressures.

Howell was 4 of 7 on third down, including three conversions with eight yards or more to go. His first touchdown of the game came on third and eight when he found running back Antonio Gibson for a nine-yard touchdown. Howell also had a pivotal

Even if Howell faced Baltimore's second-string defense, his play and leadership have continued to impress. His leadership was on full display on Washington's two-minute drill to end the first half.

The former fifth-round pick out of the University of North Carolina was 5 of 8 for 78 yards and capped it off with an 11-yard touchdown to receiver Dyami Brown to give Washington a 17-14 lead heading into halftime. Howell also had a conversion on fourth and four to extend the drive.

Howell's execution in the two-minute drill was a product of the emphasis offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy puts on it in practice.

"We do two-minute [drills] a lot," Howell said. "That's one thing with 'EB.' The first thing we install every time we start installing is two-minute. We put a lot of focus on our two-minute drill 'EB' cares about it a lot because he says all the time in the NFL, that's where a lot of games are won or lost ... Getting the two-minute drill experience tonight was critical for us so there's definitely a lot of good that can come out of it."

For Rivera, who named Howell the team's starting quarterback on Friday, his performance was everything they expected.

"Sam did exactly what we were expecting him to do," Rivera said. "Went out, executed, took control of the offense, took control of the huddle [and] did a good job at the line of scrimmage. There are a couple of things I know that he does want to have back, but I thought he executed and handled the circumstances the way he needed to."

The Commanders' ceiling is tied to Howell's play. If Howell can continue to progress, he won't just solve the team's longstanding quarterback problem. He will be why Washington will have a chance to make noise in the NFC this season.

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