Commanders QB Coach Details Sam Howell Expectations vs. Cardinals - 'Be on Schedule!'

The Sam Howell era officially begins on Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals, and Washington Commanders quarterback coach Tavita Pritchard knows what he wants to see from Howell.

The time has nearly come for the Sam Howell era to begin for the Washington Commanders. After beating out Jacoby Brissett for the starting role to then playing productive football in the preseason, Week 1 is upon us.

The first roadblock in Howell's way is the Arizona Cardinals. Many are unsure of exactly what to expect from Howell Eric Bieniemy's offense, given how little experience he has.

But quarterbacks coach Tavita Pritchard knows precisely what he wants to see from Howell in what will be just his second-ever regular-season start.

"I want him to run the offense," Pritchard said. "I think he's put in so much work, just learning this system, getting in and out of the huddle, tempo at the line of scrimmage, and then executing what we do. I think our guys do a great job of creating great habits in practice, just playing fast and operating at a high level. 

"So, that's what I'm looking for from Sam is to keep that MO of just tempo, getting up there. We talk a lot about being on schedule as quarterbacks, whether it's in the passing game and our progressions and things like that. So, for him, it's being on schedule throughout the game.”

The progression that Howell has shown the Commanders' coaching staff since Day 1 of OTAs has been steady, especially given that he also had to learn Bieniemy's new offense as well.

But that is what preseason is for, to get up to speed on the nuances of Bieniemy's offense, how he wants it run, and everything in between, which for a veteran quarterback can be challenging, let alone a second-year player.

For Pritchard, Howell's biggest stride this offseason has simply been learning Bieniemy's offense in its entirety. 

“When you install an offense for the first time, it's hard to say anything but learning the offense," Pritchard said. "I mean, I think that's just where my brain goes immediately is just picking up the system, the verbiage, calling plays. I think that's such an integral part of your introduction into any offense. So that's what I'd say, that's where he is made the biggest stride.”

For all of Howell's good work during training camp and his two preseason outings, that all counts for little now.

Week 1 is nearly here, and the true measure of Howell's progression will be determined on Sunday vs. the Cardinals.

With so much positivity surrounding the organization this offseason, getting off to a winning start will be just the tonic for the Commanders.

Get ready for the Howell era to begin with a bang.