Commanders News: Jahan Dotson, 2024 mock draft pick, Sam Howell and Percy Butler

Commanders QB Sam Howell compared to Hall of Famer

It's been an up-and-down start to OTAs so far for quarterback Sam Howell. This is one of the steepest transitions imaginable after almost no involvement last season, which is coming with some expected growing pains despite being generally accurate more often than not.

This is going to be a gradual process and one that will hopefully see Howell evolve into an undisputed leader as the No. 1 option under center. Ron Rivera is going to make him earn it and Jacoby Brissett also wants playing time, but the North Carolina product will never get a better chance to prove beyond doubt he can become a productive NFL signal-caller from a starting capacity.

When discussing Howell during an appearance on the Kevin Sheehan Show podcast, Fred Smoot compared the 2022 fifth-round selection to Kurt Warner via Yahoo Sports. While becoming a Pro Football Hall of Famer is a lofty goal, the comparison was more about the journey than the eventual destination.

"Yeah, but he didn’t start off a Hall of Famer. You watched him develop; you watched the story play out. So I am asking you to watch the story of the ‘Lone Wolf,’ Sam Howell…….give this guy a chance."

- Fred Smoot via Yahoo Sports

The Commanders don't need Howell to be a prolific gunslinger. Their defense will keep them in games, so making red-zone chances count and becoming an efficient game manager might be all it takes to get Washington back into the postseason.