Commanders Starting QB an 'Ultimate Blessing' For Sam Howell

Sam Howell enters Washington Commanders training camp as the starter, and he is taking advantage of every opportunity presented to him.

Not many players get onto an NFL roster, and even fewer become starters once they are drafted, but for Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell, the magnitude of what is in front of him isn't getting lost.

After only having one career start to his name in Week 18 of last season vs. the Dallas Cowboys, Howell enters training camp with a chance to rubber-stamp his credentials as the team's starter...and he knows what kind of opportunity is in front of him.

“Obviously, it's an ultimate blessing, especially from kind of how last year was," Howell said. "It's definitely a blessing for me to be in this opportunity that I'm in. And it's definitely not something that I take for granted, but at the same time, I think there's a lot of work left to be done. I'm not complacent at all. I know still everything is ahead of me, and I still got to go out there and earn it and prove it each and every day, so I'm going to continue to do that."

With many knowing that Howell was going to get the first shot at the starting job in Eric Bieniemy's offense, the second-year quarterback still has to put his best foot forward.

With OTA's and minicamp to get his feet underneath him as the starter, Howell now feels like he is in the right place mentally to be the player he knows the organization wants him to be.

“I think at this point I have total command of the offense," Howell said. "I studied a lot this summer and trying to get really comfortable with the system, obviously because it's new, and just tying my feet into the concepts that we're running. And I feel like I've made a lot of progress in that area, so I'm excited to be here in camp and to have all the guys together and get an opportunity to prove that.”

With the Commanders wrapping up their first day of camp, Howell was a standout, and it looks like the time and effort he has put in to learn Bieniemy's offense is paying dividends already.

It is only the beginning of camp, but Howell is off to a superb start.

---

Want the latest in breaking news and insider information on the Washington Commanders? Click Here.

Follow Adam Schultz on Twitter

Follow Commander Country on Twitter.

Want even more Washington Commanders news? Check out the SI.com team page here