The Washington Commanders face a crucial decision regarding Sam Howell in the upcoming offseason. Despite Howell showing promise in his second season, the team is expected to select a quarterback in the 2024 NFL Draft, with Caleb Williams or Jayden Daniels as top choices.
Under new ownership and head coach Dan Quinn, the Commanders are in a unique position to draft a franchise player with the second overall pick. This presents a significant quarterback conundrum. Senior writer Zach Selby notes, “Howell showed some promise as the starter in his second season, but with the team in a position to possibly get a franchise player with the second pick in the draft, resetting at quarterback is an option it must consider.”
While Williams is considered the best prospect, there’s a possibility he’ll be taken by the Chicago Bears. The quarterback class is deep, with players like Drake Maye, Jayden Daniels, and Bo Nix also projected to be first-round picks. The Commanders will spend the coming months weighing the strengths of each potential signal-caller.
Howell’s performance in the 2023 season had moments of promise, but he struggled with interceptions and sacks. Despite throwing for 3,946 yards and 21 touchdowns with a 63.4% completion rate, Howell led the league in interceptions (21) and sacks (65). This led to his eventual benching in favor of Jacoby Brissett.
Looking ahead, Howell’s future with the Commanders is uncertain. If he remains, he may need to accept a backup role behind Williams or Daniels. However, there’s a strong possibility that Howell could be traded to another NFL team. Given the need for quarterback depth across the league, the 2019 ACC Rookie of the Year should be a desirable target for several teams.
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