Washington Commanders informing potential offensive coordinators that Sam Howell is their starting quarterback for 2023

Derek Carr? No thanks. Lamar Jackson? Not happening. The Washington Commanders have their quarterback of the future.

According to Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports, the Commanders are taking a hardline stance with a youth movement, telling potential offensive coordinator candidates that former North Carolina star Sam Howell is their guy.

“The Washington Commanders are in search of a new offensive coordinator in the days following the firing of Scott Turner. And according to sources, the Commanders are letting potential candidates know who their likely starting quarterback in 2023 will be,” wrote Jones. “Sam Howell, who started and won the 17th game of the season for Washington, is expected to be QB1 when the Commanders begin offseason work in the new league year.

“That would seemingly take the Commanders both out of the running for a veteran in the trade market and using their No. 16 overall pick in the 2023 draft on a rookie.”

Once thought to be a potential first overall selection, Howell fell to the fifth round of the 2022 NFL Draft. He found playing time scarce during his rookie season, as he was stuffed behind veterans Carson Wentz and Taylor Heinicke on the depth chart.

That is, until Howell was given his shot to sling it in Week 18 against the Dallas Cowboys, and he turned some heads. Completing 11-of-19 pass attempts for 169 passing yards and one passing touchdown, along with five rush attempts for 35 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown, the former Tar Heels star led the Commanders to a 26-6 victory over the vaunted Cowboys.

Now, for the first time in what seems like forever, the Commanders will trust a young signal caller that they can build around with the future of their franchise. Howell played well in his lone audition, and will be expected to improve with an entire offseason to build an offense around him.

Time will tell how high Sam Howell’s ceiling is in the NFL, but the Commanders are confident. Washington has their quarterback, and the former North Carolina star is getting his shot.