Sam Howell Scott Galvin-USA TODAY Sports

Commanders make infamous history with another new starting QB

By Adam Gretz | Last updated 8/18/23

The Washington Commanders made it official on Friday and have named Sam Howell their starting quarterback for the 2023 season.

Head coach Ron Rivera said Howell's camp was exactly what they were looking for and that the job was Howell's to lose.

With that announcement, Howell will become the seventh different opening day starting quarterback for the franchise over the past seven years.

He follows in the footsteps of previous starters Kirk Cousins, Alex Smith, Case Keenum, Dwayne Haskins, Taylor Heinicke and Carson Wentz.

If that seems like a lot of different opening day starting quarterbacks, it's because it is, and it is not typically something that we see in the NFL. The Indianapolis Colts are going through an identical run this season after naming rookie Anthony Richardson their starter, while there have only been three other teams in the Super Bowl era to go through such a run.

Washington and the Colts will have a 7th different Week 1 starting QB in last 7 seasons. Only other teams to do that in Super Bowl era:
Browns 2013-19
Ravens 1997-2003
Chargers 1987-93 https://t.co/oVKvKOgpdZ
— Josh Dubow (@JoshDubowAP) August 18, 2023

It probably is not shocking to learn that sort of unsettled quarterback situation does not really lend itself to sustained success. Those five teams combined for only seven total playoff appearances during those seasons (out of 33 potential seasons), and three of those belong to the Ravens on their own.

The Commanders have made the playoffs just one time over the previous six starting quarterbacks.

Washington selected Howell in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL Draft out of North Carolina. He started one game as a rookie, completing 11-of-19 passes for 169 yards, one touchdown and one interception in a 26-6 Week 18 win over the Dallas Cowboys.

Howell has taken almost all of the first team reps in training camp, with veteran backup Jacoby Brissett getting only a handful of looks with the starters.

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