Washington Commanders' Eric Bieniemy 'Never Wants High Sack Numbers!'

The Washington Commanders are going through a transition phase offensively with Eric Bieniemy and Sam Howell, but the offense is having trouble protecting its young quarterback.

The Washington Commanders sit at 3-3 after their win over the Atlanta Falcons, but there is one thing that Eric Bieniemy's offense needs to do better - protect Sam Howell.

With Howell being named the starter in training camp, work was done to fortify the offensive line as Nick Gates and Andrew Wylie were brought in, but through six weeks, Howell has, at times, been a lamb to the slaughter.

For offensive coordinator Bieniemy, he isn't a fan of how much Howell is getting hit.

“Well, obviously you never want to have the high number of sacks that we have," Bieniemy said. "You know, first and foremost, [QB Sam Howell] the young quarterback is still learning how to play the game. Then on top of that, he just needs to continue to improve with his mechanics and the things that he's doing. I think that'll help everything out." 

Despite the shortcomings in protecting Howell, the Commanders still find themselves at 3-3 with plenty of football left in the season.

But a quarterback can only take so many hits (just ask Andrew Luck).

Sam Howell has been sacked 34 times through six weeks / Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

Through six weeks, Howell has been sacked a league-high 34 times, has been hit 23 times, and pressured 70 times while also being pressured on 26.5% of his dropbacks. 

That has to change.

For a young quarterback, a stout offensive line is his best friend, but Bieniemy isn't lumping all of the offense's shortcomings on the offensive line.

"Our O-Line, they're doing a heck of a job, they just need to continue protecting," Bieniemy said. "But on top of that, as you know, this game goes hand in hand. It doesn't make a difference who's making the mistake. We all get the blame for it. When it's all said and done, we got to make sure that we're giving our guys the right info, the right details, so they can just continue to improve. But the thing I like is our guys, our mindsets, are in the right place.”

Luckily for Howell, he is facing the New York Giants next, who only have 5.0 sacks on the year (lowest in the league), so it might be a nice breather for the young quarterback on Sunday.

Washington has shown plenty on offense through the first six weeks, but they need to protect Howell better going forward, otherwise, he might not last to the end of the season.