Commanders news: Sam Howell, K.J. Henry, QB conundrum and the endgame
By Dean Jones
Could the Commanders trade Sam Howell?
All signs point to the Washington Commanders bringing one or two quarterbacks into the franchise this offseason. They have just one under contract currently. Jacoby Brissett is likely to depart for a different environment in free agency. Sam Howell's rollercoaster 2023 campaign means the jury is still out on his future.
Howell's cheap contract and flashes of brilliance during his first season as Washington's starter under center might warrant another look under the new regime. The Commanders could also decide to cash in on the signal-caller if they decide a more experienced figure is needed to mentor an incoming rookie.
This was a subject brought up by Nick Shook from NFL.com, who thought the Commanders would contemplate moving Howell if they received a decent offer from elsewhere.
"Ron Rivera tied himself to Sam Howell in 2023, and for a stretch, he looked somewhat like a fortune teller. But honestly, as soon as the franchise's ownership changed hands, a shift felt inevitable, save for an unlikely run of on-field success. That didn't happen, and Rivera lost his job. The transition could also spell doom for Howell, who struggled with turnovers down the stretch and all but wiped out the goodwill he'd built with some surprisingly strong early-season performances. A new regime might not see the same potential in Howell as Rivera did. It's a cold, results-driven world, and it sure feels like a new signal-caller is destined for Washington."
- Nick Shook, NFL.com
One could make a case that Howell was dealt a bad hand by the Commanders. But as Shook stated, this league is ruthless. Something those in power must become this offseason to build stable foundations for a successful future.