Commanders News: Sam Howell, Magic Johnson, Kamren Curl and Carson Wentz

What the Commanders want from Sam Howell

It's been a solid start to training camp for Sam Howell. The quarterback is doing the little things well and although there have been a few mistakes along the way, this is to be expected considering the magnitude of his current transition.

Howell looks primed to assume starting responsibilities under center in 2023. The Washington Commanders' defense is giving the former fifth-round selection all he can handle, which should make things easier when the time comes to go up against units with less going for them during the regular season.

With padded practices set to begin this week, it's another big challenge Howell must come through. When discussing his signal-caller recently, head coach Ron Rivera said via Sports Illustrated that his individual corrections and self-assessment must continue to progress heading into the campaign.

"More than anything else is consistent play and growth. One of the things I really appreciated, and I go back to the Dallas game was how we played, how we self-corrected. How he handled things, how he changed things on his own and some of his own decision-making. Those are things you want to see that tells you he is growing and he’s getting it."

- Ron Rivera via Sports Illustrated

This is a steep responsibility Howell's being tasked with next season, especially considering the need for rapid improvements with Josh Harris' ownership group assessing everything. But there's been a level of calmness surrounding the North Carolina product that indicates he'll be just fine.