After leading the NFL in passing yards for much of the season, Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell has slowed down in recent weeks, falling to seventh amongst all quarterbacks. With his recent struggles and the Commanders officially being eliminated from the playoff picture, questions about Howell’s title as the team’s starter beyond 2023 have surfaced.
Howell is doing his best to focus on the present and finish the season strong, blocking the outside noise about his future. “I honestly don’t really look at much,” Howell said during his press conference on Wednesday regarding the topic of his uncertain standing with the franchise.
“It doesn’t really mean anything right now and I think what matters is how I play each and every week,” Howell stated. “I’m just going to try to keep doing what I can to play good football and put good film on tape these last three games,” he added.
Through 14 games, Howell leads the NFL in pass attempts (535). He’s completed 64.7 percent of his passes for 3,568 yards, 19 touchdowns, and a league-high 15 interceptions, adding 43 carries for 265 yards and five touchdowns through the ground.
It’s been an up-and-down season for the 23-year-old signal-caller, which has left the door open for the Commanders to potentially explore other options at quarterback next season. Howell was replaced by backup quarterback Jacoby Brissett in the Commanders’ Week 15 loss to the Los Angeles Rams but will remain the starter for Week 16, per head coach Ron Rivera.
