At the start of this week’s mandatory minicamp, Washington Commanders head coach Ron Rivera tried to sell the idea that Sam Howell was in a quarterback battle with veteran Jacoby Brissett. Two days later, Rivera stamped Howell’s position on the depth chart.
Rivera said that Howell has done enough to remain the QB1 as the team moves toward training camp next month. Howell has shown improvement throughout OTAs and minicamp.
“He’s pretty much shown us what we want to see,” Rivera said. “He’s young, we know he is young. He’s a second-year player who, you know, got an opportunity to start last year. But there was a lot of room for growth, and we know that, but he’s got a good skillset.”
Howell has taken the first-team reps during the off-season activities. Rivera wasn’t committed to Brissett receiving first-team reps during training camp.
After leaning on stopgap solutions for his first three years as head coach, Rivera turned to Howell, last year’s fifth-round draft pick. Howell sat behind Carson Wentz and Taylor Heinicke for the first 16 games of the season before making his NFL debut in a Week 18 start.
Howell showed a glimpse of his potential in the win over the Dallas Cowboys, opening the door for him to get the opportunity to start for the 2023-24 season.
Meanwhile, Brissett has 48 starts through seven seasons in the NFL. Brissett proclaimed he came to Washington for a chance to start. Yet, Brissett is at the mercy of Rivera and offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy.
Sam Howell represents the potential future solution at QB. Jacoby Brissett would be yet another Rivera stopgap solution. The starting job is his to lose, and thus far, he has done everything asked of him to stay at the top of the depth chart.
“He is still learning to make those decisions, but he’s also got the arm talent and that’s the thing that excites us,” Rivera added about Howell.
Training camp will be another stage for Howell to maintain his position as the starting quarterback. Meanwhile, Brissett can remain the consummate pro he has always been throughout his career and be the perfect backup.
