UNC Football: Could Sam Howell Be QB1 For The Commanders?

Former UNC Football Quarterback Sam Howell is getting some reps with the first team for the Washington Commanders and that should not surprise any Tar Heel Fans.

Admit it, we all watched it.

For three seasons we all witnessed it.

Sam Howell doing what Sam Howell does.

The former UNC football quarterback showed his fight, grit, toughness, and resolve every week for the Tar Heels.

Now, he is getting that chance with the Washington Commanders.

According to Commanders’ head coach Ron Rivera, Howell has been taking some first-team reps during recent training camp practices. From what Rivera says in his media session about Howell (as seen in the video above), you can sense that Washington’s coaching staff wants to see what the former Tar Heel can handle at this point early on in his NFL career.

Now, it’s still very much a longshot that Howell starts under center for the Commanders in Week One, but it is encouraging to see Rivera and his staff taking note of what Howell has done on the practice field and in early preseason action.

With Carson Wentz and Taylor Heinicke in the mix, don’t expect the Commanders to rush Howell into action until he’s fully ready to go or uncontrollable circumstances dictate otherwise.

I can’t speak for those reading, but I can say that I was surprised that Howell dropped to the fifth round and was drafted 144th overall. Last season, we watched Sam Howell put the Tar Heels on his back week after week. I can only imagine what he will do when given the opportunity to eventually play in the NFL.

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