The Washington Commanders’ front office believes Sam Howell is the team’s long-term answer under center, according to Dianna Russini from The Athletic.
“There is a strong belief in the building that the Commanders have found their franchise quarterback in Sam Howell, and now it’s about building for 2024.”
The 23-year-old signal caller is averaging 268.3 passing yards per game, throwing 13 touchdowns against just eight interceptions. He also had 130 total yards and another score on the ground.
Although his record as a starter this season is just 3-5, it’s worth noting that Howell has already been sacked a league-leading 41 times in 2023.
He has been sacked at least four times in seven games this year.
The only game in which he wasn’t taken down often came in the Commanders’ close Week 8 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, an afternoon when the former fifth-round pick didn’t been sacked only once. With a clean pocket against the Eagles, Howell threw for a game-high 397 yards and four touchdown passes.
With the Commanders falling significantly in the NFC East standings after a promising 2-0 start to the year, it appears the front office is looking to build around its young signal-caller and regroup for next season.
Washington was an active seller at the trade deadline, moving EDGE Montez Sweat to the Chicago Bears for a 2024 second-round pick. Then the Commanders dealt former No. 2 overall pick Chase Young to the Chicago 49ers. San Francisco in exchange for a third round.
With five picks in the first three rounds of the 2024 NFL Draft, general manager Martin Mayhew and new owner Josh Harris have the chance to add several young pieces around Howell.
In the meantime, the former North Carolina star will try to get his team back on track against the New England Patriots on Sunday.
