Getty Image / Rob Carr
The Washington Commanders have quite a few questions to answer on the offensive side of the ball as they head into the offseason.
Who will they get to take over as their offensive coordinator after firing Scott Turner?
What will their rotation at running back look like with Brian Robinson Jr, Antonio Gibson, and JD McKissic all potentially factoring in as parts of the backfield committee?
Most importantly, who will their starting quarterback be in 2023?
They have a few options to answer that last question. The Commanders traded for Carson Wentz last offseason to try and improve at the position. That move didn’t work out particularly well.
Taylor Heinicke was the team’s starter for half of this past season and started for them for all of 2021. His contract expired at the end of the season, but the team could opt to bring him back.
In Week 18, Commanders fans were introduced to their newest option at QB. The team drafted Sam Howell in the 5th round back in April and ended up giving him his first start in the team’s last game of the season.
It would appear that his performance in that game against the Dallas Cowboys was enough to convince the Commanders to make him their starter.
According to CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones, the Commanders are telling potential offensive coordinators that Howell will be their starter next season.
The Washington Commanders have seemingly found their 2023 QB1: Sam Howell https://t.co/mPDACr1jP6
— Jonathan Jones (@jjones9) January 14, 2023
In his lone appearance, Howell completed 11 of 19 pass attempts for 169 yards and a touchdown as he led the Commanders to a win over the Cowboys.
Howell being made the starting quarterback for the 2023 season would likely mean the end of Wentz’s time with the team. He can be released without incurring any dead cap hit, but if the team keeps him he’ll carry a cap hit around $26 million.
After waiting all season to take a look at what Howell has to offer, it appears the Washington Commanders will be putting the ball in his hands often in 2023.