Commanders' Eric Bieiemy Preaches Patience With Sam Howell: 'He's a Rookie Quarterback!'

Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell has been up-and-down in the first three games, but coordinator Eric Bieniemy reminds everyone that he is still a rookie.

Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell has had an up-and-down start to his NFL career, and while there have been some harsh teachings, for the most part, the rookie has stood in the fire and taken every hit and emerged better for it.

With Washington currently sitting at 2-1 after the brutal 37-3 loss to the Buffalo Bills, Howell had perhaps his worst game as a pro (worth keeping in mind that he has just four career starts) as he was tormented by the Bills defense.

But for Commanders offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy, it is worth remembering that Howell is still a young player trying to figure it all out on the run while producing some good moments.

“Well, he's a second-year player, but he's a rookie quarterback, I'll keep using this line as long as I'm up here," Bieniemy said. "Sometimes that's the first time things have happened to him and so you have to understand he's going through that experience. The best thing Sam did that game is that he played his way through it. That way, now, he can find out the good that he did, the bad that he did, and the indecisiveness that he did. But those things happen. No one wants to go out there and perform in that manner. But one thing I am proud of, I'm proud of the kid because yes, he did have some sparks."

Howell had it tough against the Bills as he threw four interceptions and was sacked nine times (sacked 19 times in three games). The offense also only picked up one third down for the game and had a fumble as well.

So there were a lot of self-inflicted wounds against Buffalo and for Bieniemy, he would like his unit to stop getting in their own way.

Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell sacked by Buffalo Bills defenders / Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

With the Philadelphia Eagles up next at Lincoln Financial Field, Washington has the chance to right the wrongs of last week, something that Bieniemy thinks the team will relish.

“We talk about this all the time, sometimes it'd be nice just to line up and play against the opponent rather than playing against ourselves and beating ourselves and playing against the opponent, that's pretty tough. So, I would like to see us to go out and compete this week against the Philadelphia Eagles, which I'm pretty sure our guys would be fired up.”

By most measures, the Commanders have been rather good value through the first two weeks, as they tried to establish their identity before running into a buzzsaw that was Josh Allen and the Bills.

But with every loss, there comes a chance to right the wrongs, and Washington has a great chance to go into Philadelphia and hand their division rivals their first loss of the season.