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Washington Commanders coach Ron Rivera made a shocking revelation on Tuesday while speaking with the media at the NFL combine. Less than 24 hours after releasing quarterback Carson Wentz, Rivera said that quarterback Sam Howell is not the guaranteed starter for next season.
Rivera said that Sam Howell, who was drafted in the fifth round by the Commanders last year, will enter the offseason as "QB1" but that he will need to compete for the job. Simply put, he said that Howell was not going to be given the starting quarterback position.
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"He’s not our starter," Rivera said. "He’s coming in as QB1, and he’ll get a chance to be the starter.”
Ron Rivera said that the Washington Commanders will be in the market to add a veteran quarterback this offseason. He also said that veteran backup Taylor Heinicke will also be in the fold for the starting position.
Rivera said last week after hiring Eric Bienemy as the new offensive coordinator that the Commanders won't change the plan they had. He said the team would add a veteran backup quarterback and that Howell was the QB1. Now, Rivera has revised the plan a bit and said that Sam Howell will have to compete for the starting job.
Whether Ron Rivera's comments were made to create competition heading into the offseason or if Washington is still unsure as to who will start is unknown, but it should make for an interesting offseason.
Commanders use franchise tag on DT Daron Payne
The Commanders' quarterback situation wasn't the only breaking news for the team this week. Just one week before the deadline to use the franchise tag, Washington announced that it had used its tag on defensive tackle Daron Payne.
Daron Payne, who entered the offseason as one of the top 10 potential free agents in the NFL, could now sign a one-year deal worth $18.937 million. Washington could even offer him a contract extension for a long-term deal down the road.
Payne was drafted by Washington with the 13th pick in 2018. In the first five seasons of his career, he has missed just one game. He was also named to the Pro Bowl last season.
If Payne decides to sign elsewhere, then that team would have to send two first-round draft picks to Washington since it used its franchise tag on him.
