The moist dream of each NFL franchise is an efficient quarterback on a rookie contract. It’s GM porn, and the slightest flash or jiggle of competency turns groups into ’90s studio execs. The most recent object of their fascination is Sam Howell. The Washington Commander quarterback is stacking up the sorts of numbers that make entrance places of work and media members need to suggest.

So why haven’t they? What’s holding Washington from going for broke the following two years? Howell will likely be taking part in for pennies via 2025, he’s second within the league in passing yards, and seventh in landing passes. SIGN HIM UP, RON!

That is the closest Washington has been to a long-term starter below middle since Kirk Cousins. I’m actually stunned they had been sellers on the deadline. The playoffs and extended mediocracy are palpable; simply do it, Martin Mayhew. What are you ready for?

Perhaps it’s the group’s document in opposition to opponents above .500, the loss to the 2-7 Giants, the 20-point drubbing by the hands of the 3-7 Bears, or that minus-54 level differential. Howell has 9 interceptions, is getting sacked at a document tempo, and leads the league in makes an attempt and completions.

That final stat is vital, as a result of numbers are deceiving with out context. There are quite a lot of perennial backup QBs who may amass numbers given sufficient alternatives. Look, I like Gardner Minshew as a lot as the following red-blooded American, however Howell is a glitzy advertising and marketing marketing campaign and a Speedo away from being that man.

If it’s a must to discuss your self right into a quarterback, Daniel Jones-style, you don’t have a quarterback irrespective of how low cost the contract. There’s a time to behave like a tabby in a discipline of catnip; a current instance is Houston and C.J. Stroud. They need to be scrambling to encompass him with infrastructure whereas ::NFL speaking head voice:: his cap hit is infinitesimal.

The Commanders’ method is barely cynical, as evidenced by the Chase Younger and Montez Sweat departures, however that’s higher than making f*ck-me eyes at Howell since you’re disadvantaged. Ron Rivera is a modern-day Jeff Fisher, so this 4-5 begin shouldn’t be a shock, nor immediate an overreaction.

New proprietor Josh Harris isn’t a brand new proprietor in the identical method that Matt Ishbia is a brand new proprietor, and that’s a very good factor. One of many few Invoice Simmons-isms that I nonetheless prescribe to is new proprietor syndrome, which frequently results in unwarranted gambles, or short-sighted trades. This isn’t Harris’ first enterprise into skilled sports activities, and to date there haven’t been any win-now strikes, as a result of Washington isn’t successful something proper now.

Let’s see the child beat a group with a successful document earlier than exalting him to franchise-cornerstone standing. Sure, Chocolate Metropolis has lots to be enthusiastic about, together with possibly Sam Howell, however my god present some endurance, and put away the ED tablets.