Commanders Hope Sam Howell Can 'Thrive' in Bieniemy Offense

The Washington Commanders have put all their eggs in the Sam Howell basket this season with the hope that Eric Bieniemy can get the most out of the second-year quarterback.

The Washington Commanders are giving second-year quarterback Sam Howell the first crack at winning the starting job over veteran Jacoby Brissett. While some see a quarterback competition brewing, the general thought is that Howell will beat out Brissett and start Week 1.

But is it more "hope" than anything that Howell, under the guidance of new offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy, can produce from the start?

In a piece for ESPN, Dan Graziano thinks that Howell could thrive in the offense.

"On the field, the hope is that second-year QB Sam Howell can thrive with his exciting group of young skill-position players on offense and that the stars in the defensive front can make enough plays to make Washington a surprise challenger in the NFC East," Graziano wrote. 

Howell will have weapons around him as he embarks on his journey as an NFL starter. Receivers in Terry McLaurin, Jahan Dotson, Curtis Samuel, and running back Brian Robinson Jr. all have produced before.

Jack Del Rio's defense, which was ranked inside the top 10 last season for points allowed, might give Howell some short fields to take advantage of. 

Bieniemy and his offensive mind will look to get the best out of Howell, who did show plenty last season in the Week 18 win over the Dallas Cowboys. 

While there are some detractors of the Commanders going forward with a quarterback who only has one career start to his name, but there is a clear confidence that Howell can do the job.

As far as "thriving" in the offense, Bieniemy will no doubt put Howell in good spots this upcoming season, and it will be up to the quarterback to make the most of it

If he does, that "hope" will be replaced with genuine excitement about what Washington could produce going forward.

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