Rivera: Howell goes into spring as Commanders’ starting QB

PHOENIX (AP) — Sam Howell goes into offseason exercises because the Washington Commanders ′ beginning quarterback, coach Ron Rivera mentioned Wednesday.

The second-year professional will nonetheless have competitors alongside the best way, however Rivera’s declaration seems to take the group out of the operating for high-profile veterans corresponding to Aaron Rodgers, Derek Carr and even Jimmy Garoppolo, who was an possibility final yr earlier than the commerce for Carson Wentz.

That went poorly, so Howell takes the lead within the aftermath of the failed Wentz experiment.

“Sam Howell goes to start out out as QB1,” Rivera mentioned on the AP Professional Soccer Podcast. “The important thing to that, although, is he’s going to must earn it to maintain, that’s for darn certain.”

Washington drafted Howell within the fifth spherical final yr out of North Carolina. Earlier than a tough last faculty season, he was projected to be a top-10 decide — if not first total.

Howell made his NFL debut within the regular-season finale after the Commanders had been eradicated from playoff competition. He threw and ran for a landing in beating the playoff-bound Dallas Cowboys.

“That sport to me actually epitomized what we doubtlessly might be as a soccer group and what we needs to be,” Rivera mentioned after being the recipient of the USAA Salute to Service Award.

Howell was the eighth quarterback to start out a sport in three seasons since Rivera took over in Washington with management over soccer operations.

If he earns the job to start out the season, Howell can be the group’s seventh totally different Week 1 beginning QB in as a few years, following Wentz (2022), Ryan Fitzpatrick (’21), Dwayne Haskins (’20), Case Keenum (’19), Alex Smith (’18) and Kirk Cousins (’17). Wentz, who threw three interceptions within the loss to Cleveland that contributed to the Commanders being eradicated, is predicted to be launched earlier than the beginning of the brand new league yr in March.

Rivera and the Commanders are nonetheless in search of an offensive coordinator after firing Scott Turner, who has since joined the Las Vegas Raiders.

They’ve to this point interviewed six candidates: San Francisco 49ers assistant head coach/operating backs coach Anthony Lynn, former Denver Broncos offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur, present Washington quarterbacks coach Ken Zampese, Atlanta Falcons QBs coach Charles London, Miami Dolphins affiliate head coach/RBs coach Eric Studesville and Los Angeles Rams assistant head coach/tight ends coach Thomas Brown. London has since been employed because the Tennessee Titans’ QBs coach and move sport coordinator.

Washington would wish to attend till after the Tremendous Bowl to talk with Kansas Metropolis Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy.

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Whyno reported from Washington.

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