NFL Offseason: What Did We Learn About The Commanders?

The Washington Commanders impending sale and quarterback battle have garnered most of the headlines this offseason.

There has been no shortage of headlines surrounding the Washington Commanders this offseason. 

The franchise's impending sale to Josh Harris and quarterback competition between Sam Howell and Jacoby Brissett have garnered most of the attention. Of all the things that have transpired this offseason, Sports Illustrated said the one thing we've learned from Washington is they believe in Howell. 

"Maybe it was more about Ron Rivera not wanting a rookie quarterback as his starter heading into a critical fourth season as coach with new ownership coming in, but it says something that the Commanders passed on drafting a quarterback to essentially make Howell QB1 for the upcoming season," SI writes. "We’ll find out soon whether the offseason praise for Howell, a 2022 fifth-round pick, was warranted." 

It is no secret that Commanders head coach Ron Rivera needs to have success this year after going 22-27-1 in his first three seasons. The pressure on Rivera only heightens with new ownership seemingly on the way, potentially as early as July 20. 

This marks the second time Rivera has dealt with an ownership change as head coach. When he was with the Carolina Panthers, David Tepper bought the team in 2018, then Rivera was fired during the 2019 season. 

Howell earned Rivera's trust in his lone start of the 2022 season by throwing and running for a touchdown in Washington's 26-6 win over the Dallas Cowboys. 

If Howell proves Rivera's trust to be warranted, odds are the ownership change won't affect their standing with the franchise. But if Rivera's faith in Howell backfires, they may be among wholesale changes that take place with Josh Harris running the franchise. 

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