PHOENIX (AP) — Sam Howell goes into offseason exercises as the Washington Commanders ‘ starting quarterback, coach Ron Rivera mentioned Wednesday.
The second-year professional will nonetheless have competitors alongside the way in which, however Rivera’s declaration seems to take the group out of the operating for high-profile veterans such as Aaron Rodgers, Derek Carr and even Jimmy Garoppolo, who was an choice final 12 months earlier than the commerce for Carson Wentz.
That went poorly, so Howell takes the lead within the aftermath of the failed Wentz experiment.
“Sam Howell goes to begin out as QB1,” Rivera mentioned on the AP Pro Football Podcast. “The key to that, although, is he’s going to need to earn it to maintain, that’s for darn certain.”
Washington drafted Howell within the fifth spherical final 12 months out of North Carolina. Before a tough last school season, he was projected to be a top-10 decide — if not first general.
Howell made his NFL debut within the regular-season finale after the Commanders have been eradicated from playoff rivalry. He threw and ran for a landing in beating the playoff-bound Dallas Cowboys.
“That sport to me actually epitomized what we doubtlessly might be as a soccer group and what we needs to be,” Rivera mentioned after being the recipient of the USAA Salute to Service Award.
Howell was the eighth quarterback to begin a sport in three seasons since Rivera took over in Washington with management over soccer operations.
If he earns the job to begin the season, Howell can be the group’s seventh totally different Week 1 starting QB in as a few years, following Wentz (2022), Ryan Fitzpatrick (’21), Dwayne Haskins (’20), Case Keenum (’19), Alex Smith (’18) and Kirk Cousins (’17). Wentz, who threw three interceptions within the loss to Cleveland that contributed to the Commanders being eradicated, is anticipated to be launched earlier than the beginning of the brand new league 12 months in March.
Rivera and the Commanders are nonetheless searching for an offensive coordinator after firing Scott Turner, who has since joined the Las Vegas Raiders.
They’ve to this point interviewed six candidates: San Francisco 49ers assistant head coach/operating backs coach Anthony Lynn, former Denver Broncos offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur, present Washington quarterbacks coach Ken Zampese, Atlanta Falcons QBs coach Charles London, Miami Dolphins affiliate head coach/RBs coach Eric Studesville and Los Angeles Rams assistant head coach/tight ends coach Thomas Brown. London has since been employed as the Tennessee Titans’ QBs coach and cross sport coordinator.
Washington would wish to attend till after the Super Bowl to talk with Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy.
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Whyno reported from Washington.
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