Commanders HC addresses Sam Howell, Jacoby Brissett competition

Washington Commanders head coach Ron Rivera insisted throughout the offseason Sam Howell is his starting quarterback but told reporters Tuesday that Howell has to win the job over free-agency signing Jacoby Brissett. 

"Just because I said he’s going to start off as QB1 doesn’t mean he’s going to finish as QB1," Rivera said about Howell, as shared by Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk. "I like to believe, though, that if he goes out and does the things he’s capable of, he’s got a very good chance of doing that." 

Howell began his pro career as a 2022 fifth-round draft pick and spent the majority of his rookie season buried on the depth chart beneath Carson Wentz and Taylor Heinicke. The 22-year-old appeared in a single game, won that start and completed 11-of-19 passes for 169 yards with a touchdown and an interception in a 26-6 win over the Dallas Cowboys. 

As for Brissett, the journeyman most recently made 11 starts for the 2022 Cleveland Browns while Deshaun Watson served a suspension related to allegations of sexual misconduct during massage sessions. Cleveland went 4-7 with Brissett under center even though he produced some impressive performances, and ESPN stats show the 30-year-old ended the campaign ranked eighth among all qualified players with a 60.0 adjusted QBR. 

"I think Jacoby has shown us some things that have really gotten people’s attention," Rivera continued. "We talk about Jacoby almost as much as we talk about Sam. I just think as we go through this process until we play games, it would be unfair to start making assessments." 

The Commanders reportedly first viewed Howell as a future starter as far back as last spring, but that was well before the club hired Eric Bieniemy as its new assistant head coach and offensive coordinator this past winter. Rivera said Tuesday that Bieniemy "likes what he’s seeing right now from both guys," and one can't help but wonder upon reading the figurative tea leaves if Howell isn't doing enough to cement himself atop the depth chart ahead of training camp.