Where Washington Commanders QB Sam Howell Stands in Franchise History Through 15 Games

Despite the struggles, Sam Howell still made his way further up the Washington Commanders franchise boards.

The Washington Commanders are used to being told what to do by their adoring public, so having so many weighing in on the future of quarterbacks Sam Howell, Jacoby Brissett, and (insert favorite draft prospect here) isn't new.

What is new, at least to this more modern version of Commanders football, is having a quarterback that can produce among the best the franchise has ever seen. And that's what Howell has been able to do this year despite being benched now two weeks in a row.

With his measly 56 yards in Week 16 Howell moved into third place among all-time passers in Washington in completions in a single season. His 352 for the year surpassed Kirk Cousins who had 347 in 2017.

Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell (14) warms up on the field prior to the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium / Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Furthermore, Howell passed two other franchise notables - Joe Theismann and Jason Campbell - for ninth in passing yards in a single season. He now has 3,624.

While many are calling for the first-year starter to be replaced, some for the sake of the team's last two games, others because they never believed in Howell in the first place, and still others who simply get joy from pointing out coach Ron Rivera's missteps, the running game continues to be something Commanders fans want more of.

In Week 16's loss to the Jets Washington assistant head coach and offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy chose to run the ball 21 times. With those carries the team produced 92 yards and three touchdowns. 

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The three rushing scores are the most we've seen from this team in a single game all year and the most it's had in one since late November of 2020. 

And with four total touchdowns on Sunday, the Commanders now have more such performances than they have since 2016.

Not the stats you'd expect to see from a team competing for a top-three NFL Draft pick and embroiled in a no-win quarterback situation with just two games left before we can all put this miserable season behind us and look toward a once again brighter future.