Washington Commanders' Sam Howell, Eric Bieniemy 'Getting Better Each Week'

Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell talked about the chemistry he's building with offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy.

By trading pass rushers Chase Young and Montez Sweat prior to the NFL trade deadline earlier this month, the Washington Commanders signaled that their focus, at least to some degree, has shifted to 2024. 

However, after defeating the New England Patriots in Week 9, the Commanders are 4-5. Whether they can claw their way back into a playoff spot or not, the final eight games on their schedule are hardly meaningless. 

Perhaps the most interesting thing to monitor for the remainder of the season in Washington will be the continued development of quarterback Sam Howell, especially as he starts to get more comfortable working with assistant head coach/offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy. 

“I think we're getting better each and every week, not only just me and EB, but I think as an offense as a whole," Howell said. "I think we're getting better each and every week and I think he's calling some really good games and he'll continue to do that. He prepares so hard and always has a good plan for us. For the most part we've been executing it, we just got to try to continue to finish drives and finish games in the fourth quarter.”

Offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy (left) and quarterback Sam Howell (right) are building chemistry for the Washington Commanders.  / USA Today

Howell has been sacked a staggering 44 times and thrown nine interceptions, both of which lead the NFL. However, he's shown enough positive flashes that there's a very real possibility that he'll get a chance to start for Washington beyond this season. Perhaps with five picks in the first three rounds of the 2024 NFL Draft and more than $89 million in projected cap space, Washington will be able to drastically improve the offensive line in place to protect Howell next season. 

The biggest question is whether Howell will get to continue to work with Bieniemy, or have his third playcaller in as many seasons. If coach Ron Rivera is fired by new owner Josh Harris this season, will Bieniemy be retained in his current position by the next coach? Or could Bieniemy be the next coach? As Howell and Bieniemy build chemistry, it would seem to be a mistake to break them up after this season, even if Rivera doesn't return.