Reporter reveals clear leader in Commanders' QB competition

Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell seems to have an upper hand in the competition also involving veteran Jacoby Brissett. 

For a piece published Monday, NFL insider Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated noted that Howell "held serve all spring" and has a "significant" lead over Brissett heading into training camp sessions. 

Howell remains an unproven 2022 fifth-round draft pick who completed just 11-of-19 passes for 169 yards with a touchdown and an interception in the only regular-season start and appearance of his rookie campaign, a Week 18 26-6 win over the Dallas Cowboys this past January. 

Commanders head coach Ron Rivera generated headlines when he suggested earlier this month he could start Brissett for the Week 1 contest against the Arizona Cardinals this coming September, and Brissett later indicated he "wouldn’t be" with Washington if he felt he didn't have a legitimate chance to leapfrog Howell on the depth chart before the end of August. 

However, Commanders wide receiver Jahan Dotson more recently said he believes that "we got our quarterback situation settled" and that "Howell's gonna be our guy." Breer offered more information about why Dotson may have shared that take so early into an advertised battle between Howell and Brissett. 

"...Howell consistently put a plus arm on display in (organized team activities) and minicamp, making throws some quarterbacks won’t, and generating plenty of velocity on the ball," Breer said. "Also, with the whole offense adjusting to the complex offense that new (offensive coordinator and assistant head coach) Eric Bieniemy is installing, Howell had his bumps, but never seemed behind in learning it. As a result, Howell took all the first-team reps through the spring, and...it doesn’t sound like there’s any reason for Bieniemy and Rivera to veer off that course that they set for the quarterbacks back in April." 

The Commanders open the preseason portion of the calendar at the Cleveland Browns on Aug. 11. Judging by Breer's update, it appears Rivera could name Howell his Week 1 starter even before Washington faces Cleveland that Friday evening.