Commanders News: Sam Howell, Carson Wentz, Chase Young and Emmanuel Forbes

Sam Howell 'earning' Commanders QB1 tag

It's been mainly positive where Sam Howell is concerned during his transition from backup to No. 1 option this offseason. Thursday's final session of mandatory minicamp wasn't his best, but it was never going to be a complete bed of roses given his lack of experience running an NFL offense and having to learn the intricacies of Eric Bieniemy's system.

This is a steep increase in responsibilities for Howell and veteran Jacoby Brissett is breathing down his neck in pursuit of involvement. But head coach Ron Rivera stated via Bryan Manning of USA Today Sports that the former fifth-round selection has done everything needed to cement his status as QB1 heading into the team's training camp later this summer.

"He’s pretty much shown us what we want to see. I mean, again, he’s young; we know he is young. He’s a second-year player who, you know, got an opportunity to start last year. But there was a lot of room for growth, and we know that, but he’s got a good skillset. He’s mobile; he’s got good foot movement; he’s got quick twitch to him, good decision maker. He is still learning to make those decisions, but he’s also got the arm talent and that’s the thing that excites us."

- Ron Rivera via USA Today Sports

This is a confidence-building start from Howell. We'll find out more about his mettle this summer and especially during joint practices with the Baltimore Ravens, but the North Carolina product's done nothing to suggest he won't be under center in Week 1 against the Arizona Cardinals.

Whether he can keep this up is another matter.