'He's a Baller!' Washington Commanders' Sam Howell Impresses Sean McVay

Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell has impressed Los Angeles Rams coach Sean McVay.

At 4-9, the Washington Commanders are playing out a lost season, which will continue against the Los Angeles Rams Sunday afternoon at So-Fi Stadium.

Pass rushers Chase Young and Montez Sweat were traded prior to the Oct. 31 trade deadline. Defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio was fired after an embarrassing loss to the Dallas Cowboys on Thanksgiving, and coach Ron Rivera seems like a pretty safe bet to be dismissed after the regular season concludes.

Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell has impressed Los Angeles Rams coach Sean McVay.  / USA Today

However, quarterback Sam Howell has probably shown enough in 2023 to earn another year leading the team, perhaps with a better supporting cast that won't allow him to get sacked a league-leading 58 times. Howell hasn't been perfect himself, as he's thrown 14 interceptions. But Howell has also tossed 18 touchdowns, and added another five rushing scores on the ground.

He's done enough to impress one of the most-respected offensive minds in the league, Rams coach Sean McVay.

“Oh yeah, he's a baller," McVay said of Howell. "This guy's got the ability to create. You can see he sees the field well. He can get through progressions quickly. He can make all the throws. He dissects and recognizes coverage contours quickly and he's able to deliver the ball accurately. And then when things do go off schedule, he's got the athleticism and the escape ability to buy time, keep his eyes down the field, and you can see guys understand how to be able to work with him." 

McVay went on to explain that this week is hardly the first time he's reviewed film on Howell's season. Because the Rams and Commanders have had some overlap in opponents this season, McVay and his staff have watched film of multiple Commanders games this season, coming away with a strong belief in Howell's ability.

"So even when you're just getting ready from an offensive perspective looking at the other team's defense, the Washington offense has been in a lot of our breakdowns and you see him and you're thinking, man, this guy's making a lot of plays," McVay said.

"He's doing a lot of really impressive things both on schedule and off-schedule. And you see why the people and the players in that organization have such belief in him. And he's put a lot of really good stuff on tape and he's dangerous as hell, for sure.”

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If there is indeed a new regime in Washington next year, it's not a guarantee they will be enamored with Howell, although there's an argument that the team has so many other needs that it would be a mistake to use high draft capital on a quarterback instead of giving him another season with a better supporting cast. 

If the next regime chooses to go in another direction at quarterback, McVay's thoughts certainly lead you to believe there would be plenty of suitors for Howell's services via trade.