Washington Commanders name Sam Howell starting quarterback - ESPN

ASHBURN, Va. — Sam Howell will start the season opener at quarterback for the Washington Commanders, coach Ron Rivera said Friday, ending what had been a one-sided competition for the job.

Howell has worked only with the starters since spring practices began. He has taken all but several reps with the starters; Jacoby Brissett, signed in the offseason, took his place for a handful of snaps before the preseason opener against the Cleveland Browns.

Washington hosts the Arizona Cardinals in the season opener on Sept. 10.

It has long been known this was Howell's job to lose — and he never did anything to lose his grip. He completed 9 of 12 passes for 77 yards and a touchdown against the Browns. In the two-day joint practice session against the Baltimore Ravens, his performance on the first day was «really, really good,» a source said. He wasn't quite as sharp on the second day, but the Commanders still liked what they saw.

Rivera had pointed to this past week as a crucial one for Howell in measuring his development. After the second day, when asked what Howell needed to do to be named the starter, Rivera said, «Continue what he has shown.»

The Commanders liked his decisiveness — particularly when working through progressions and spotting an open target — and his improved footwork, on both pass drops and handoffs. They like his decision making. They say other aspects of his game, such as becoming more efficient in the red zone, can be developed with more experience.

«The biggest thing I'm really pleased about has been his decision making; that has been a big plus,» Rivera said Wednesday.

Washington drafted Howell in the fifth round in 2022, although one team source said before the draft that the Commanders would have targeted