The Washington Commanders have watched their season slowly slip away in recent weeks. They are riding a three-game losing streak and are 2-8 since beginning the season 2-0. Their playoff hopes are on life support, as another loss could knock them out of the running for a Wild Card spot and turn their focus to the 2024 NFL Draft.
One of the players that people will be keeping an eye on down the stretch for the Commanders is quarterback Sam Howell. A fifth-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, Howell has done a solid, albeit not always spectacular job, as the team’s starting quarterback.
Howell is leading the NFL in completions, attempts and yardage, going 323-for-486 for 3,339 yards through 12 games. He has two fourth-quarter comebacks and two game-winning drives under his belt this season as well.
NFL News & Rumors: Sam Howell, Eric Bieniemy, Washington Commanders Updates
Those are the positives to come out of 2023 for Howell. Unfortunately for the Commanders, there are also a few negatives. Some of those shortcomings, however, are not within his control as the starting quarterback, while others are.
The offensive line has been abysmal this season, as Howell has been sacked 55 times for a loss of 375 yards, both of which lead the league. He has also thrown the most interceptions, 13, in the NFL in 2023.
Offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy is doing what he can to build a game plan to help keep the team competitive week in and week out. He has gotten a lot of Howell, who is limited in some regards and not near the talent of Patrick Mahomes, who Bieniemy was the offensive coordinator for previously.
Howell is essentially an old-school gunslinger. He is going to make some plays that will leave you impressed, while other times he will leave you scratching your head about what you just witnessed.
NFL News & Rumors: Sam Howell, Eric Bieniemy, Washington Commanders Updates
That is why should come as no surprise that Howell is in a league of his own when it comes to two stats. According to Ian Hartitz of Fantast Life on X, formerly known as Twitter, Howell is the only quarterback in the NFL with 20+ big-time throws and 20+ turnover-worthy throws in the season.
To this point, Howell is the ultimate high-risk, high-reward quarterback in the NFL. He has shown that he can do some things to help you win a football game, but just as quickly, he can unravel and do some things that lead to you losing the game.
Is that something the Commanders are comfortable with at their quarterback position moving forward? It will be something to watch for in the next six weeks as Howell is auditioning for the starting role beyond the 2023 season for a new ownership group and potentially a new coaching staff as well.
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