Commanders News: Chase Young trade, sale, player award and Sam Howell

Commanders’ confidence in Sam Howell

Despite the Washington Commanders taking a keen interest in quarterback Hendon Hooker throughout their pre-draft evaluations, it would be a shock if those in power allocated a high-end pick for the position. Especially considering the obvious confidence in Sam Howell‘s potential to be a future long-term starter.

Howell has said all the right things and is getting the full support of coaches and players. However, Ron Rivera has been quick to point out that nothing will be given and the former North Carolina star must earn the right to play by beating out Jacoby Brissett when training camp begins.

Starting Howell is a risk with new ownership coming into the fold. Former NFL general manager turned analyst Mark Dominik highlighted this fact when speaking to John Keim of ESPN recently.

"“Everyone in that organization understands there’s a lot of risk involved because you’ve got new ownership coming in. (Sam) Howell was a [fifth-round] pick so if it doesn’t work out, ‘Are these the right people to lead the organization?’ But they’ve been around him and I think they feel that sense of comfort that you don’t have to be aggressive.”"

Rivera is on the hottest seat imaginable once the sale is confirmed. Betting his job on Howell flourishing represents a gamble of epic proportions, so the signal-caller must far exceed expectations for Josh Harris and his group to accumulate further confidence in the current regime.

And even that might not be enough when push comes to shove.