Washington Commanders' Sam Howell Taking 'Right Direction', Says Eric Bieniemy

Washington Commanders offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy says Sam Howell's mindset is taking him in the right direction as an NFL quarterback.

With each passing week, Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell is showing growth, and maybe, just maybe, he could be the franchise quarterback that the organization has been crying out for since Robert Griffin III.

While Washington sits at 4-6 on the season, there is still a long way to go on this journey for Howell and the offense, but initially, he has shown enough to solidify the Commanders' thinking during the preseason to name him the starter.

For Bieniemy, regarding Howell potentially becoming the franchise's future quarterback, he says that the former North Carolina star has the attitude and the mindset that is moving him in the right direction.

“You know what, and I'll make sure I answer this the right way," Bieniemy said. "Every day is a new day. Every day, I'm more impressed by the person, I'm impressed by the kid. My job is to make sure I'm living in this moment. I can't tell you what's going to take place down the line, but I do know this: the kid has the work ethic. He has the attitude and the mindset that's taken him in the right direction. 

"He just needs to stay who he is, remain who he is, humble, a hardworking kid that doesn't take anything for granted, that understands that every little thing that he learns is by far the most important to help him to be the best player and person that he can be on the field and off the field. So I think if he's utilizing this same work ethic and his family values, he'll be all right when it's all said and done with.”

Howell currently leads the NFL in passing yards, 2,783 yards, so that part is good for the Commanders, but one part that wasn't was the offensive line's ability to protect Howell.

Eric Bieniemy says Sam Howell has the right attitude and mindset to be a franchise quarterback for Washington / Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

With the second meeting of the season against the New York Giants on Sunday, we remember what Howell had to deal with in the 14-7 loss at MetLife Stadium. Howell was sacked six times (at the time, the Giants had five in six games), and the offense could only convert one of 15 third downs while only scoring seven points.

But since then, protection has been slightly better for Howell, and as Bieniemy says, what transpired at MetLife Stadium made the offensive unit better.

“I think the new group is doing a great, they're doing a great job," Bieniemy said. "Obviously, sometimes, without no bad luck, you wouldn't have any good luck at all. Sometimes unfortunate things happen, you know, that experience in New York happened for a reason. It's made us a better team, a better unit."

With Washington eyeing redemption at FedEx Field on Sunday, Howell and Bieniemy will no doubt be cooking something up to get their revenge.

As Howell's resiliency has shone through this season, if the going does get tough, expect him and his offense to fight through and, in doing so, hopefully win their fifth game of the season.

Commanders' Darrick Forrest 'Coming Along Pretty Well'