Commanders News: Chase Young, Sam Cosmi, Antonio Gibson and Sam Howell

Commanders QB Sam Howell ranked last

Sam Howell is the undoubted wildcard in the Washington Commanders' hopes for improved fortunes in 2023. The quarterback has grown in stature throughout the offseason, but there's no telling with any firm guarantee how things will unfold given his lack of experience.

This was the route Ron Rivera was intent on going down for good or bad. He'll pay with his job if things don't go well, but the player's upside coupled with Eric Bieniemy calling the offense leaves more reasons for optimism than pessimism currently.

The positivity sentiment is not shared by everyone. When listing the top-32 quarterbacks in his preseason rankings, Tim Kelly of SB Nation put Howell dead last at No. 32, behind those who have yet to play a competitive down such as CJ. Stroud, Anthony Richardson, and Bryce Young.

"[Sam] Howell had some impressive moments in a Week 18 win over the Dallas Cowboys, but you do have to wonder why the fifth-round pick didn't play sooner if the team believed he could be their full-time starting quarterback in 2023. Howell now has offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy at his side, and a pretty respectable group of skill-position players at his disposal. We just haven't seen Howell play enough in the NFL to make sweeping projections."

- Tim Kelly, SB Nation

Kelly covers the Dallas Cowboys day-to-day, which could be among the reasons why Howell props up his list. Saltiness is a horrible taste to get rid of after the former fifth-round selection gave them a beating in Week 18 on his only rookie start.

Coaches and teammates believe in Howell. Although there's a level of trepidation among some fans, the North Carolina product deserves his shot.