3 primary observations from Commanders GM Adam Peters' combine presser

Adam Peters leaves door open for Sam Howell

While speculation continues to rise about a new arrival to the Washington Commanders' quarterback room, rumors are also beginning to surface about Sam Howell's prospects in 2024. A recent report suggests that interest would be high in the signal-caller if his current employers made him available for trade. Something Ralph Vacchiano from FOX Sports believes could land Adam Peters another third-round pick if a bidding war ensues.

Peters was impressed with Howell after spending time with the former first-round pick during a recent walk around Commanders Park. The general manager left the door open to another starting chance in 2024 based on comments via Sports Illustrated. However, he also acknowledged they were still relatively early in the assessment process and nothing has been confirmed one way or another.

"We still have a lot of work to do what we're going to do whether it's that pick or later, we really like what we have in [QB] Sam [Howell] right now, so we're really excited about that too. It's funny, I learned this from [San Francisco 49ers GM] John Lynch. When you're sitting in your office all day, you kind of just get in this rut where you're just like, it's dark, you got all these weird lights and you need to get out. So Sam came to the facility a couple weeks ago and got a chance to hang out and instead of sitting in my office, we just took a walk, took a walk around Commanders Park around the fields and got to know him a little bit better. So I feel really good about him too. So, we got a lot of different things we can do, but still really excited about him."

- Adam Peters via Sports Illustrated

Howell was dealt a bad hand last season. He was working under a lame-duck head coach and under an offensive coordinator who refused to provide him with a balanced scheme. That's without mentioning having to play behind such a woeful offensive line en route to becoming the NFL's most-sacked quarterback in 2023.

While some fans want to see what Howell can do with a more productive supporting cast, having the No. 2 overall selection changes everything. Something that makes his status as Washington's QB1 precarious at best.