The Washington Commanders are informing potential candidates to fill the vacant offensive coordinator position that Sam Howell will "likely" be the team's starting quarterback entering the 2023 season, according to multiple media reports Saturday.
The Commanders are looking for a new offensive coordinator after head coach Ron Rivera announced Scott Turner's firing earlier this week. Turner was the OC in Washington for the last three seasons.
Of course, the Commanders saying Howell is the starter at this time could change with free agency and the NFL Draft to come. Washington is saying Howell is the starter at the moment, "but he will have to earn it" going forward, is how the Washington Post's Nicki Jhabvala reported the news. And this "doesn't preclude Washington from evaluating options and making Howell earn the job," per the Washington Times' Matthew Paras.
The Athletic's Ben Standig added, "My understanding: Washington is letting some know that while evaluating options, for now looking at entering the offseason with Howell as QB1. He has to win it. Other doors could open."
Howell, who was drafted in the fifth round last season, played just one game during his rookie season, the 26-6 win over the Dallas Cowboys in Week 18. Howell completed just 11-of-19 passes for 169 yards with a touchdown (on his first career pass attempt) and an interception. Good for an 83 passer rating and 44.5 QBR. He added 35 yards on five carries and ran for a score
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Taylor Heinicke, who started nine games for Washington in 2022, will be a free agent this offseason. If he does re-sign with Washington, he would enter training camp as a backup for the second-straight offseason despite being the starting quarterback for the majority of the season. (He started 15 games in the 2021 season.)
This means Carson Wentz, who was the starter ahead of Heinicke to start 2022, will be leaving Washington imminently. The Commanders can release the veteran quarterback and not face any salary cap penalties, as his 2023 salary includes no guaranteed money. Wentz arrived last offseason in a trade that cost the Commanders a third-round pick in 2022 and a third-round pick in 2023.
Follow @BenKrimmel and @Team980 for more.
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