The underwhelming nature of the 2022-23 season for the Washington Commanders was all too familiar to the DC fanbase. Following a 7-10 2021-22 season, Washington progressed incrementally in terms of their record, which was 8-8-1 this season.
Moving into the offseason, the Commanders have already made a significant change, firing offensive coordinator Scott Turner after three seasons on the job. Washington finished the year ranking 20th in the league in total yards per game, a meager improvement from where they finished a year ago (21st). Despite the glaring quarterback issues over his tenure, Turner hasn’t been able to run an offense that can compliment the stable defense of the Commanders. Whether that is on Turner, or whether it has to do more with the lack of talent on offense is subjective, but being consistently at the bottom end of the league in terms of offensive production for three years in a row is inexcusable.
In the midst of their search for a new offensive coordinator, Washington has been informing prospects for the job that Sam Howell will be their starting quarterback for the 2023 NFL season.
To some, this may have come as a surprise, after Howell played (and started) in just one game in the 2022 NFL season. While this announcement doesn’t 100% confirm that Howell will start next season, it is a good indication that the window of opportunity for Carson Wentz and Taylor Heinicke has come to a close.
So is Sam Howell the answer to the offensive struggles that have plagued Washington for what seems like forever, and are there better options available?
In his first and only start of the season, Howell completed 11 out of his 19 attempts, throwing for a total of 169 yards, one touchdown, and a red zone interception. One of these completions was a high flying 52-yard moonball to star wideout Terry McLaurin, leading to Howell rushing a touchdown. Howell showed promise with his ability to push the ball down the field on multiple occasions, something that Washington so desperately needed at times during the season.
Along with showing off his arm strength, Howell demonstrated his ability to evade the rush and create plays with his legs, rushing for 35 yards on five attempts, including a touchdown on a redzone option play. Running the ball himself in order to move the chains was something that Wentz failed to do on a consistent basis, only rushing for 86 yards in his eight games played. Heinicke, on the other hand, had some success in this department in the 2021 season, but showed apprehension to take off at times this past season, only rushing for 96 yards through nine games.
What about the other potential quarterbacks that Washington could snag this offseason? Among free agent quarterbacks heading into the 2023 offseason are intriguing names including Lamar Jackson, Tom Brady, Geno Smith, Jimmy Garoppolo and Daniel Jones.
“I think we should pick up Action Jackson [Lamar Jackson]. He would definitely give us a good chance to make a playoff run,” Walter Johnson junior Karthik Pidathala said.
With such a small sample size, it is difficult to decide on whether naming Howell as the starting quarterback is justified or premature. However, rooted in this decision is a burning desire for a quarterback who will contribute to winning football, as opposed to one that impedes on the teams’ success.
Written by Ben Kim of Walter Johnson High School
Graphic courtesy of Rudy Essiomle of Thomas S. Wootton High School