Commanders mic’d Sam Howell in OTAs to evaluate his control in huddles

The Washington Commanders are using an unconventional method to help starting quarterback Sam Howell with his development taking control of the offense.

Commanders head coach Ron Rivera revealed the team has mic’d Howell up throughout OTA practices to evaluate how he’s communicating in the huddle and relaying the play calls, per Sam Fortier of The Washignton Post.

The offensive coaching staff later goes over the film with Howell.

Ron Rivera and his Washington Commanders coaching staff are in a make-or-break year this upcoming season. With an ownership change on the horizon, Rivera must break through in Year 4, something he has failed to do in his first three seasons as the Commanders’ head coach.

That’s why it’s astonishing that Rivera is resting this season in the hands of last year’s fifth-round draft pick Sam Howell at starting quarterback. Howell split the first 16 games of his rookie season as the backup or inactive on gamedays. Then he made his NFL debut in the Commanders’ season finale, a win over the Dallas Cowboys.

The one-game audition proved enough to allow him to lead the Commanders. Sam Howell enters this year’s offseason program as the QB1. He has a new offensive coordinator, Eric Bieniemy, who after five seasons and two Super Bowl titles working with Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs, lands in Washington with his chance to run the show.

Howell’s maturation is imperative. Putting the onus on how he controls the offense is just a step toward preparing him to be the starting QB. Howell must prove he is ready to fend off veteran backup Jacoby Brissett, who the team signed this offseason.

The process appears to be working, as Commanders Pro Bowl wide receiver Terry McLaurin spoke glaringly of Howell, saying the QB has “taken the bull by the horns” thus far in the offseason program.