3 things to expect from Sam Howell as Commanders QB1 in 2023
By Dean Jones
What can Washington Commanders fans expect from Sam Howell during his first season as the team's starting quarterback in 2023?
While it seemed like a done deal some time ago, it was probably a great feeling for Sam Howell to learn he finally has the QB1 tag officially. The quarterback was grateful for the opportunity after a positive discussion with head coach Ron Rivera, but he was also keen to focus on the main task at hand - providing a level of assurance under center that's been sorely lacking.
Howell's come on leaps and bounds throughout the offseason. But there's been a noticeable shift in demeanor and confidence over the last fortnight that hasn't gone unnoticed by anyone associated with the franchise.
This is still a big gamble from the Commanders considering what's at stake for Rivera and others with Josh Harris' ownership group assessing. However, there's been plenty to like about Howell's adjustment en route to a potential breakout campaign as an NFL sophomore.
With that being said, here are three things to expect from Howell as the primary signal-caller in 2023.
Expect poise from Sam Howell
One thing that's becoming increasingly obvious when examining Sam Howell is his extreme poise. The quarterback rarely gets flustered in the pocket, knows how to recognize pressure, and moves from one play to the next seamlessly without looking back.
These are all the hallmarks normally associated with productive NFL quarterbacks. It takes much more than this, obviously, but demonstrating the composure under center to focus on what's in front of him and nothing else is only going to serve Howell well during his first full season as the Washington Commanders' starting quarterback.