After Washington Commanders head coach Ron Rivera fired offensive coordinator Scott Turner, word began to circulate the next OC would be working the quarterback Sam Howell entering 2023.
Rivera confirmed this during Super Bowl week with different media. Howell would enter the offseason as “QB1,” but he’d have to earn the position. In the process, Rivera all but rules out acquiring a big-ticket quarterback this offseason.
Rivera interviewed eight candidates for the position before finally landing his top choice in Eric Bieniemy, formerly of the Kansas City Chiefs. Despite hiring Bieniemy, Howell is reportedly still the plan for 2023.
And that’s perfectly fine with Bieniemy.
Howell was among several Commanders players at Bieniemy’s introductory press conference Thursday. After the presser, Howell spoke with the media and said he was excited to work with the former Chiefs offensive coordinator.
What does Bieniemy think of Howell?
He’s a fan.
“I had an opportunity to evaluate him coming out, and I thought the kid, he’s a heck of a player, a heck of a competitor,” Bieniemy said. “Still going through the evaluation process…..Sam has some stuff to him, but you always want to create competition. One thing I have to admit, I watched that last game he played [against the Cowboys], I saw that flex, and it got me fired up.”
Bieniemy was speaking of Howell’s “flexing” celebration after his first career rushing touchdown against the Cowboys.
Sam Howell #14 of the Washington Commanders celebrates after scoring a touchdown in the third quarter of the game against the Dallas Cowboys. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
No one knows how Bieniemy truly feels about Howell. But if the Commanders do not pursue a high-level veteran and avoid drafting a quarterback early in the 2023 NFL draft, it’s clear that Bieniemy and Washington plan to give Howell every opportunity to succeed.