Sam Howell 'More Than Likely' Commanders' Starting QB for 2023 Season, per Ron Rivera

The Washington Commanders apparently feel like they've found a franchise quarterback in Sam Howell.

Commanders head coach Ron Rivera said Wednesday he expects Howell to spend this offseason as the team's presumptive QB1.

"We will go into OTAs, minicamp and training camp with Sam Howell more than likely QB1, and we'll see what happens," Rivera said on NFL Network. "It's his opportunity. This is a challenge to him. If he comes out and does the things that he's capable of—we believe he's capable of—he can most certainly be our guy. But we'll find out."

Howell was a fifth-round pick out of North Carolina in April. He started the team's season finale win over the Dallas Cowboys, throwing for 169 yards and a touchdown against an interception.

It is unorthodox for a team to head into the offseason with an unproven late-draft pick as its favorite to start. Washington seems likely to move on from Carson Wentz after a failed 2022 campaign, though, and Taylor Heinicke will be a free agent in March. Howell's status feels more like a default decision than anything else at the moment.

Washington will almost certainly be active in free agency searching for a veteran quarterback. Jimmy Garoppolo is the best option likely to be available, and he would be an instant upgrade over Wentz and Heinicke.

The Commanders could also explore trading up in the first round from No. 16, but that would require a significant commitment of future draft picks. Alabama's Bryce Young, Ohio State's C.J. Stroud, Florida's Anthony Richardson and Kentucky's Will Levis are among the quarterbacks expected to be selected in the first round in April.

At the very least, Howell will certainly not enter the offseason program without competition.