The Washington Commanders flirted with the possibility of making the NFL playoffs this year, as they won six of seven games at midseason after starting 1-4.
But they couldn’t maintain their momentum, and with an 8-8-1 record, they missed the postseason once again, a result their fans are all too familiar with.
The quarterback position is a huge question mark, as they went with three different starters there this year: Carson Wentz, Taylor Heinicke, and Sam Howell.
Unfortunately, at least for fans, Ron Rivera said that Washington won’t be looking for a new starter in free agency and that Howell is currently the QB1.
Ron Rivera said the Commanders won’t be in the mix for a free agent to be QB1. Sam Howell is the starter as the team enters the offseason. Veteran may be brought in to compete but won’t spend a lot of cap space on position. Opposite of last year. pic.twitter.com/gKvKod5dXJ
—Chris Simms (@CSimmsQB) February 8, 2023
Fans had mixed reactions to this news.
These two fans seem to wish the Commanders would try to make a move for Las Vegas Raiders QB Derek Carr, who is one of the best available signal-callers right now.
there are Washington Commanders fans telling me we’re better off with Sam Howell next year than if we got Derek Carr……….. omg now i understand why the rest of the world hates our fans
—Rob (@BigSirx) January 26, 2023
I don’t care what anyone says. I’d take Derek Carr in #Washington. Him and Sam Howell would be a good QB room
— Commanders Football (@wshcommanderz) February 5, 2023
But this man seems to be OK with Howell under center.
Omg I hope he stays with Sam Howell but I have a feeling he will seek a new quarterback they do it all the time look at history and every time they get a new quarterback they lose every time, according to sports casters Carson Wentz was to be commanders franchise QB NOT
—Jim Walkinshaw (@walkinshaw_jim) February 3, 2023
This fan has Howell at QB1 on his offseason wish list.
How to fix my Washington Commanders
1: Sell team
2: Fire Rivera & hire Steve Wilks IMMEDIATELY
3: Cut ties w/ Wentz
4: Use EVERY Draft pick on offensive lineman
5: Re-sign Da’Ron Payne
6: Resign Taylor Heinicke
7: Name Sam Howell QB1@Commanders— Carolina Fire Basketball (@fire_carolina) January 26, 2023
Howell, who was a rookie this season, made his lone start in Week 18 against the Dallas Cowboys, and he completed 11 of 19 passes in that contest while throwing one touchdown pass and one interception and scoring an additional touchdown himself.
As a fifth-round draft pick, he played three seasons at the University of North Carolina, where he threw a total of 92 touchdown passes, which was a school record, and scored 11 rushing touchdowns in his junior season.
The Commanders have a lot of things they need to fix in order to return to the playoffs, but one positive is wide receiver Terry McLaurin, who has been very steady and reliable, as well as Pro Bowl defensive tackles Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne.
