The Washington Commanders' offense has undergone a significant transformation during the offseason. With the arrival of a new starting quarterback and the addition of a dynamic offensive coordinator, the team is eagerly preparing for the coming season.
As the Washington Commanders head into the upcoming season, they are preparing to start Sam Howell, the highly anticipated rookie, with the role of their ninth different starting quarterback under coach Ron Rivera. Howell has already generated excitement with his remarkable display against the Cowboys last year, sparking optimism about his ability to guide the team in 2023. Terry McLaurin has been openly supportive of Howell, commending his development and grasp of the new offensive system introduced by Eric Bieniemy, the Commanders' recently appointed offensive coordinator.
"He showed some great signs of growth against Dallas last year, and now for this whole season, we get to see what he does," McLaurin said in an interview on Washington's YouTube channel. "He has a quiet command about him. He comes into the huddle, he knows what he's doing, he's super smart, [and] he's picked up the system really well. At the end of the day, he's going to give us a chance to make plays on the outside."
With just the one start in the 2022 season versus the Cowboys, Howell put on a pretty promising performance. He demonstrated accuracy by completing 11 of 19 passes for 169 yards, resulting in one touchdown. Notably, he showcased his agility and speed by rushing for 35 yards and scoring another touchdown. McLaurin, known for his reliability as a playmaker, delivered an impressive performance of his own, securing three receptions for 74 yards and a touchdown in the matchup against Dallas.
Regardless of the quarterback leading the Commanders' offense, McLaurin's consistent ability to perform has been a beacon of hope for the team. The accomplished wide receiver has impressively surpassed 1,000 receiving yards in three consecutive seasons, reaching a career-high of 1,191 yards in 2022. Such performance throughout the previous season resulted in McLaurin earning his well-deserved first Pro Bowl selection.
Since Howell has taken over as the starting quarterback, McLaurin has been impressed with his accuracy and ability to consistently find the target. "His accuracy is something that really stands out," McLaurin said. "He knows how to hit those hole shots. He can really throw the ball away in man situations, really push the ball through zones, and he gives you a chance to catch the ball and run with it."
"He's going to give us a chance to make plays, and that's what we love. That's all we can ask for," McLaurin concluded.
Thanks to Howell's precision and the notable presence of other talented wide receivers such as Jahan Dotson and Curtis Samuel, the Commanders' offense possesses the capacity to make some serious improvement in 2023. McLaurin seems optimistic that Howell can serve as the much-needed missing piece the team has long awaited.
