Pass-Heavy Offense 'Expediting' Washington Commanders' Sam Howell's Development

Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell has faired reasonably well in his first stint as a starting quarterback, and Ron Rivera says the pass-heavy offense has pushed his development into hyperdrive.

Coming into the season, there was a lot of unknown about Sam Howell as the Washington Commanders starting quarterback. 

After beginning the season 2-0, Washington has hit the skids in a big way. Three consecutive losses see the Commanders searching for answers, but for the most part, Howell has been relatively good for Eric Bieniemy's offense.

Part of that is due to the sheer number of passes Howell has been asked to make through the first five weeks, and head coach Ron Rivera says that while being forced to throw so many times isn't ideal, it has fast-tracked Howell's development.

"That's unfortunate to a degree," Rivera said. "But you do like what he's done, and that's one of the things that you really appreciate. That's expediting his development, that's for sure, but we don't want that," Rivera said. "We want to be balanced, we want to be able to run, use play action, and drop back passing."

For reference, Howell, through five games, has 191 pass attempts, which is the fourth-most in the NFL behind Joe Burrow (197), Matthew Stafford (203), and Kirk Cousins (204). 

Sam Howell has the fourth-most passing attempts in the NFL through five weeks / USA Today Sports

So Howell is being forced to throw a lot due to the Commanders getting themselves behind, as in the last two games, he has thrown 41 times vs. the Philadelphia Eagles and 51 times against the Chicago Bears. 

That isn't exactly the complementary football Rivera spoke about.

While the Commanders are on a three-game skid, and the offense is averaging just 21.8 points a game (ranks 17th), Rivera stated that there is a lot of good coming from his young quarterback.

"As he grows and develops and gets better and better, so will we," Rivera said. “You see who he is, you see his grit, you see his toughness, you see his decision making. Those are all good."

Washington will get the chance to halt their losing streak when they face the Atlanta Falcons, and no doubt Rivera will be hoping that Howell doesn't have to throw 35+ times again (he has done that in three of his five games).

The Commanders have been up and down through the first five weeks. Now, the offense needs to find some consistency and not rely on their young quarterback to throw them to a win.