3 reasons why the Commanders failed QB Sam Howell in 2023

Sam Howell never really had a chance to make the grade as QB1 for the Washington Commanders. The blame belongs firmly to Ron Rivera and his staff.

Ron Rivera's already admitted he put too much on Sam Howell too soon. That's true, but there's a certain amount of irony at play here.

Howell wasn't ready to be the franchise savior as a de facto rookie in 2023. Yet, it's also true he would have fared better had Washington Commanders offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy called a scheme that not only took greater advantage of his dual-threat skills but also gave him some easier reads and quicker throws.

Bieniemy's faults will be put under the microscope later. First, here's how Rivera got it wrong as art of three reasons why the Commanders failed Howell in 2023.

Ron Rivera's gamble became a burden for Sam Howell

Credit to Ron Rivera for being frank about asking too much of Sam Howell. In his words, the recently fired head coach "took a big gamble. I put a lot on Sam, and I probably shouldn't have put as much pressure on him."

That's what the 62-year-old told ESPN's John Keim. While Rivera's honesty is refreshing, 910 The Fan Richmond's Michael Phillips pointed out how the Green Bay Packers didn't mind putting similar pressure on Jordan Love.

Like Howell, Love took the reins as a starting quarterback this season, despite being a virtual rookie. He'd made just one start before being promoted, the same as the former fifth-round pick was getting the nod from Rivera after starting against the Dallas Cowboys in the finale of the 2022 campaign.

The difference is how the Packers made things easier for Love through the scheme implemented by Matt LaFleur. Eric Bieniemy didn't make the same effort to play to Howell's strengths.

Commanders wasted Sam Howell's mobility

Sam Howell was a running sensation at North Carolina. He rushed for 828 yards and 11 touchdowns during his final season with the Tar Heels in 2021. This came after he lost most of his dynamic playmakers to the NFL.

Those numbers should have encouraged Eric Bieniemy to include plenty of designed quarterback runs in the playbook. A rushing attack led by the man under center catches defenses cold and makes them obvious in coverage.

Units that stack the box against a running quarterback leave themselves vulnerable to big plays off play-action passes targeting undermanned coverage shells. It's why Robert Griffin III was named NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2012.

The same approach is also how Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen remain among the elite signal-callers in the league. Letting Howell run would have given the Washington Commanders something different needed to catch a few opponents cold.

What's doubly frustrating is how effectively other teams used young quarterbacks on the ground. A notable example was provided by the Indianapolis Colts and rookie Anthony Richardson.

The success enjoyed by the No. 4 overall selection in the 2023 NFL Draft was outlined by "Locked on Colts" co-host Zach Hicks:

Richardson has one advantage as a runner. Notably, being 6-foot-4 and 244 pounds. But Howell is no wallflower at 6-foot-1 and 220 pounds.

Injury is the obvious drawback to letting a quarterback run. Richardson had his rookie year curtailed by a concussion and shoulder problems. Jackson and Allen have taken their lumps and survived, so the risk goes both ways.

Risk and reward is the balancing act an offensive coordinator has to get right with a rushing quarterback. Sadly, Bieniemy rarely tried, with most of Howell's 48 rushing attempts being scrambles on broken plays.

It wasn't the only way Howell was let down by his offensive coordinator.

Sam Howell needed more plays under center

Eric Bieniemy didn't do enough to keep defenses guessing this season. Not when No. 14 had just 20 play-action pass attempts from under center on first down, per John Keim of ESPN.

An under-center offense puts defenses in more of a bind deciding to play run or pass. Playing run wasn't something many teams needed to worry about against the Washington Commanders. Not when Bieniemy called a mere 359 rushing attempts, the fewest in the NFL.

Teams knew they could tee off on Howell. They could concentrate on throwing a myriad of blitz pressure and disguised coverage at a young signal-caller being left in the line of fire.

What truly galls is the Commanders have three capable running backs, Brian Robinson Jr., Antonio Gibson and Chris Rodriguez Jr. They also have a solid blocking tight end, John Bates, and a fullback, Alex Armah.

All five of those players should have been at the forefront of a run-first offense to protect a mobile quarterback. Howell being allowed to target a deep and gifted group of receivers via play action would have meant more big plays and more wins.

It's how the Packers got Love up to speed. It's also why schematic failings are the worst crimes against Howell.

Fortunately, things should change if, as expected, the Commanders hire Detroit Lions' offensive coordinator Ben Johnson to replace Ron Rivera. Keim detailed how effective the play-caller scheme has been running from under center, maximizing the use of play-action to keep the chains moving.

Those things would transform Washington's offense for the better, but the changes are likely going to come too late for Howell. The Commanders still appear set to draft his replacement with the No. 2 overall selection, leaving him facing an uncertain future heading into Year 3 of his professional career.