What things should Washington Commanders fans be thankful for during this special Thanksgiving holiday in 2023?
As we embark on Thanksgiving, it's a time for gratitude, turkey, and of course, football. After starting 2-0, it seemed like all was well with the Washington Commanders, but as we have grown accustomed to during Ron Rivera's tenure, the quarter-season lull hit hard.
After losing their next three games, the Commanders snuck by the Atlanta Falcons before dropping four of their next six games. These included two losses to the lowly New York Giants - both times by different quarterbacks - neither of which was Daniel Jones, who has feasted against this Commanders over the years.
Yes, being 0-2 against a team that has gone 1-8 against everyone else they've played is embarrassing. Yes, turning the ball over six times and losing to an undrafted rookie quarterback who threw for three touchdowns despite being sacked nine times is not great. And yes, maybe it isn't the best time for a gratitude article about this team.
However, there are a few things that fans can be thankful for, despite what we've seen on the field.
Commanders have new owners
If the Washington Commanders went 0-17 this season, it would still be a victory due to the ownership change. Exorcizing this franchise of Dan Snyder is the greatest thing to happen to the team since its Super Bowl win in 1992.
A lot of fans are grumbling about the current state of the franchise and the lack of movement by Josh Harris to get rid of Ron Rivera and Jack Del Rio. FedEx Field continues to be a joke, with both teams having no hot water after the Week 11 loss to the Giants. And Magic Johnson's robotic tweets about the poor play on the field without any changes happening don't help the cause.
To be fair, look at what Harris had to start with. Snyder dug this franchise so far into the ground that it is going to be an uphill battle to get anywhere close to how respectable it was in the late 80's and early 90's.
Not to be cliche, but Rome wasn't built in a day. Turnarounds take time and although this year seems to be a waste, fans have to know in their heart change is coming.
Commanders have a potential franchise QB
Before last week's debacle against the New York Giants, Sam Howell was on a tear with three straight games of 300-plus passing yards, where he had a 4:1 touchdown-to-interception ratio and a 68.8 percent completion success. Despite his awful showing last time out, he has proven capable of leading the Washington Commanders offense.
Let's not forget that he has 12 total starts in his career. Howell is also playing behind one of the worst offensive lines in the NFL.
Howell has thrown the ball more than 40 times during seven games already this season and has 60 more passing attempts to the next closest quarterback, Josh Allen. The Commanders are calling passing plays 68.19 percent of the time - if the season ended today, would be the highest since the 2013 Atlanta Falcons, who finished 4-12.
With the number of throws that Howell is being asked to make - especially with the pressure he faces - it is no surprise he is tied for the league lead in interceptions and has 13 more sacks than the next closest quarterback.
If you look at the statistics of the 10 rookie quarterbacks with the most pass attempts in a season, you'll see they averaged 16 interceptions and around 32 sacks in their first year.
Howell has already far surpassed that sack number. With six games remaining, he might pass the average interception total as well, but he is also on track to have more attempts than all top 10 rookies with the most pass attempts.
Can we judge his mistakes when Howell is being asked to put the team on his shoulders and Eric Bieniemy is failing to establish the run with any frequency behind Brian Robinson Jr. and Antonio Gibson?
Coming out of college, one of the scouting reports compared Howell to Jalen Hurts. If you look at the stats of the Philadelphia Eagles quarterback's first full-year starting, Howell is pretty comparable if not better in most categories.
Could he be the franchise quarterback the Commanders are looking for? He is closer than anyone else has been in a long time.
Commanders staffing changes are on the horizon
Ron Rivera was the head coach that the Washington Commanders desperately needed when he joined the franchise. The experienced figure brought a sense of leadership and discipline to a franchise that was in dire need of it.
He said the culture would change and it does seem to be in a much better place than when he took charge after being fired by the Carolina Panthers almost four years ago.
Rivera honestly handled many things that should not have fallen on his shoulders. These included the name-change controversy, sexual harassment fallout, cancer diagnosis, ownership change, and much more.
Unfortunately, the winning didn't follow.
Rivera has yet to have a winning season with the Commanders and it seems like his time with the franchise is coming to an end. Jack Del Rio's defense has continued to underwhelm and it seems that the game has passed him by, so he'll be another facing the chop as Josh Harris' ownership group looks set to bring about great change in the not-too-distant future.
Although for many fans, the change can not come soon enough, the Commanders will be able to have their new ownership group select not only a new head coach but a general manager as well. Exciting times, indeed.
Commanders have lots of draft picks and cap space
What would make the Commanders attractive to a new general manager and head coach? Well, how about five draft picks in the first three rounds and more than $90 million in available salary-cap space to strengthen problem areas in 2024?
Those assets can change the trajectory of a team. This would also allow a competent front-office figure to bring in some franchise-elevating players that can hopefully get the Commanders trending in a positive direction.
If the Commanders can bring in a general manager who is at least 50 percent as competent as Howie Roseman of the Philadelphia Eagles, it would be a victory for this franchise.
So, as you watch the Commanders' game at the Dallas Cowboys in a few short hours and see yet another big play given up by the defense, yet another fumble lost, and a shot of Ron Rivera standing with his arms folded on the sidelines, don't let it ruin your Thanksgiving.
There is much to be grateful for. This time next season, the franchise should be in a much better place.
Hopefully…