Marc Trestman spent over 20 years in the NFL either as a quarterbacks coach, offensive coordinator, assistant head coach, or head coach. Trestman was head coach of the Chicago Bears from 2013-14.
Throughout his coaching career, which began at the University of Miami in 1981, Kosar has coached the likes of Bernie Kosar, Steve Young and Rich Gannon, among others.
Trestman is essentially retired from coaching these days but contributes to The 33rd Team. In Trestman’s work at The 33rd Team, he still focuses on quarterbacks.
Recently, Trestman went back and graded the 2022 rookie quarterback class. There were nine quarterbacks selected in the 2022 NFL draft. Seven of those rookies earned at least one start in 2022. Pittsburgh’s Kenny Pickett was the only first-round pick and had an impressive rookie campaign. He came in at No. 2 on Trestman’s list.
No. 1? It was San Francisco’s Brock Purdy, of course. The final pick in the draft, Mr. Irrelevant, Purdy started five regular-season games — winning them all. He replaced an injured Jimmy Garoppolo early in a Week 13 win over Miami and was fantastic in the 49ers’ opening-round playoff win over the Seahawks.
What about Washington rookie Sam Howell?
Howell came in at No. 5, with Trestman acknowledging he only had one start.
Obviously, it is extremely difficult to evaluate a rookie QB without addressing his college tape, seeing him in the meeting room and his work on the practice field. Yet, in Howell’s only start, he performed well given his fifth-round draft status.
His first career pass went for a touchdown. He showed poise to stand in the pocket to make throws, and that the game was not too big for him. Howell also showcased his football intelligence by recognizing mismatches in coverage. He has no throwing limitations and clearly has the arm talent to attack all areas of the field deep and outside the numbers. The ball appears to go as the play is designed, and he was able to find his No. 1 receiver, Terry McLaurin, in crucial situations. His poor decision and interception in the red zone last week, however, was an indication that there is room to grow.
Howell will extend plays despite limited athleticism and can use his legs to get a new set of downs. With just of few flashes of toughness and courage in the pocket, I believe there is enough on a minimal amount of tape for Howell to be in the competition for next year’s starting quarterback job in Washington.
Overall, a positive evaluation. However, there was one sentence I didn’t like: “Yet, in Howell’s only start, he performed well given his fifth-round draft status.”
You do not grade someone based on where they were drafted. You can also make the same argument that many believed Howell would be off the board on day two in the NFL draft, with many believing he could’ve been a top 10 pick in 2021 if he were eligible.
The Commanders loved what they saw from Howell, and he will enter the offseason with every chance to be Washington’s starting quarterback in 2023.