Commanders set on Sam Howell as 2023 starter?

Per NFL Next Gen Stats (NGS), the pass had a completion probably of 20.2 percent and an air distance of 60 yards. That stat measures how far a pass travels from the QB to a wide receiver. According to NGS, that pass was the longest completion via air distance by a Commanders QB since 2016.

Howell was drafted in the fifth round (144th overall) out of North Carolina. He was a three-year starter with the Tar Heels from 2019-2021. He completed 63.8 percent of his pass attempts and averaged 3,427.7 yards and 30.7 touchdowns a season during his career.

 As a junior, he had 183 carries for 828 yards and 11 rushing touchdowns.

Washington (8-8-1) missed the playoffs by a half-game. Carson Wentz proved he wasn't the long-term solution with an underwhelming 2022. He went 2-5 in seven starts and was 172-of-276 (62.3 percent) for 1,755 yards, 11 touchdowns and nine interceptions.

Howell gets the next chance to lead a Washington franchise seeking its first playoff win in nearly two decades. The team last won a playoff game in the wild-card round 17-10 against Tampa Bay on Jan. 7, 2006. Washington won that game despite QB Mark Brunell going 7-of-15 for 41 yards and an interception. 

The Commanders are headed toward a diverging path. Next season will determine whether they have the pieces in place for a sustained run as playoff contenders or if it's time for another rebuild.