4 Commanders on the hot seat entering Week 16 at NY Jets

Sam Howell - Commanders QB

Things looked so promising for Sam Howell earlier this season. The quarterback looked like someone who could potentially be the Washington Commanders' long-term answer at the position. After some regression performance-wise in recent weeks, his future is murkier than ever.

Howell's errant interception at the Los Angeles Rams irked Ron Rivera enough to sit the former fifth-round selection. An impressive cameo from veteran backup Jacoby Brissett - albeit it against a preventive defense - raises the stakes for Washington's QB1 entering Week 16 at the New York Jets.

For all the Jets' problems offensively without a stable quarterback, their defense remains one to be feared. The likes of Quinnen Williams and Sauce Gardner can take over any game when in the mood. This poses a huge threat Howell must take seriously in pursuit of a vital bounce-back game.

All hope is not lost with Howell, not yet anyway. It's the margin of error that's decreased. And the signal-caller is running out of time to convince any incoming head coach and/or general manager he's worthy of another shot in 2024.

If Howell can respond positively in the face of adversity and perform well, it'll show he's got the resolve within. If the player begins on the back foot and cannot get anything going right out of the gate, Rivera is renowned for hair-trigger reactions at football's most pivotal position.