Commanders: Stealing one player from each NFC East foe in 2023

Commanders steal Jalen Hurts

• Quarterback | Philadelphia Eagles

There is faith that Sam Howell can seize the moment and provide much-needed stability to the quarterback position in 2022. The Washington Commanders feel like it's a gamble worth taking given how well he performed in Week 18 and the promise of further improvements under Eric Bieniemy, but the move does represent a gamble considering what's at stake for most within the organization in 2023.

Howell is talented and could thrive under Bieniemy's guidance. But if the Commanders had a choice between the former fifth-round selection and Jalen Hurts, the decision is an easy one.

The Oklahoma product took a monumental leap forward in Year 3 of his professional career. Hurts was nothing short of sensational throughout the campaign, helping the Philadelphia Eagles maintain a 14-3 record, win the NFC East, and come away with a conference championship for good measure.

Hurts went toe-to-toe with Patrick Mahomes in the Super Bowl before eventually falling short. But the only way is up for the 2020 second-round selection that many passed over in favor of alternative options before Philadelphia pounced.

This propelled Hurts to easily be the NFC's best quarterback and among the league's brightest in the blink of an eye. There will be a bigger bullseye on his back next season, but this is something the signal-caller looks more than ready for on a team that could go all the way once again.