Rivera: Commanders' Howell remains QB1 for now
Sam Howell remains the Washington Commanders' starter ahead of the regular-season opener, but the team is open to competition, head coach Ron Rivera said Tuesday.
"Just because I said (Howell's) going to start off as QB1, doesn't mean he's going to finish as QB1," Rivera said, according to the Washington Post's Nicki Jhabvala. "I'd like to believe, though, that if he goes out and does the things he's capable of, he has a very good chance of doing that."
Howell has taken the early lead ahead of veteran Jacoby Brissett as the Commanders attempt to reconstruct their identity under new offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy. Howell has endeared himself to both the coaching staff and teammates despite just one career start during his rookie campaign in 2022.
The North Carolina product threw for 169 yards, accounted for two total touchdowns, and posted a 57.8% completion rate to lead Washington to a win in its regular-season finale against the Dallas Cowboys.
Rivera said Brissett remains in the mix to be Washington's starter and may get first-team reps in training camp.
"That'll be something that we'll sit down and talk about once we finish up," he said. "I know Eric likes what he's seeing right now from both guys, so we'll just continue to work."
Brissett threw for 2,608 yards, 12 touchdowns, and six interceptions, recording an 88.9 quarterback rating while leading the Cleveland Browns to a 4-7 mark as a starter in 2022. Washington signed him to a one-year deal after letting both Carson Wentz and Taylor Heinicke walk this offseason.
Brissett, 30, has also spent stints with the Miami Dolphins, Indianapolis Colts, and New England Patriots.
Washington will open the 2023 season against the Arizona Cardinals on Sept. 10.