As we look toward the 2023 regular season, we count down the most important players for the Washington Commanders ahead of training camp. On Thursday, No. 2 was wide receiver Terry McLaurin.
We continue our countdown today with No. 1, quarterback Sam Howell.
Who else could it be?
Before we explain why Howell is No. 1, this isn’t saying he’s Washington’s best player — but he is the most important.
For the Commanders, the new ownership represents a fresh start. There is a bigger picture with Daniel Snyder no longer owning the team. However, for head coach Ron Rivera and his coaching staff, everything is riding on this season. And they are banking on Howell to become the quarterback of the present and future.
That’s a lot of pressure for a 22-year-old with 19 career passing attempts.
While some want to focus on where Howell was drafted, it’s silly at this point. He has the talent and ability to succeed in the NFL. Does that mean he will? Of course not, but some like proclaiming a failure before the 2023 season is over only because he was a fifth-round pick.
Where Howell was drafted will have nothing to do with his success — or failure.
Howell and new offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy are perhaps the two most important figures for Washington’s 2023 season. There’s hope that Bieniemy schemes an offense to Howell’s talents, taking advantage of his arm strength and athleticism, featuring a lot of RPOs.
Howell has plenty of weapons around him. There are big-time concerns with the offensive line. The group should be better than last year’s group, but how much better? The Commanders are also hoping Bieniemy can scheme around the offensive line at times.
Washington needs to be better than last season on offense. That’s not a high bar. If the defense remains the same, and it could be better, the Commanders don’t need to be the Chiefs to win games.
This is a tremendous opportunity for Howell. He knows it, and he embraces it.