Commanders News: Sam Howell, Terrell Burgess, Jonathan Allen and injuries

Commanders QB Sam Howell's defiance

Sam Howell isn't getting many questions about his prospects beyond the current campaign. The attention has quickly turned to the immediate future after he was benched by the Washington Commanders in Week 15 at the Los Angeles Rams.

Howell will be under center this weekend, but the need to perform better is glaring. Ron Rivera won't be afraid to make another change and throw veteran backup Jacoby Brissett into the mix if things aren't going well. After all, he's also looking to end his stint as Commanders' head coach with some positivity.

The former fifth-round pick out of North Carolina remains defiant based on comments via the team's website. Howell won't let this concerning run undo all the good he's managed to accomplish this season. But his hopes of an extended stay as the starter beyond 2023 are hanging by a thread.

"Just wasn't good enough. I got to play better, got to execute better. So, it is what it is. I know I'm not defined by this one game or anything like that. I feel like for the most part, I've played some good ball this year and I just got to do it at a more consistent rate. I want to go into these last three games and be really consistent and be really good and just be efficient and give my team a chance to win. I just want to be playing my best football for these last three games."

- Sam Howell via Commanders.com

Howell's come through tough stretches on the front foot before this season. This needs to happen sooner rather than later with only three games left. These games could make or break his long-term status as QB1.