Sam Howell might have been brought in as a transitionary quarterback for the Washington Commanders despite strong collegiate numbers, but his initial trajectory has put him firmly into any plans that Washington might have.
His success, however, isn’t a complete surprise. After changing schools and opting to go to the University of North Carolina due to coaching changes, he delivered a standout performance over his three years at the school. He was immediately impactful as a rookie winning the Rookie of the Year Award for 2019 in the ACC. He was a member of the Third-Team All-ACC while winning the Military Bowl MVP. Similarly strong performances in his sophomore and junior years led to a record-breaking run.
At the time of moving on to the NFL Draft, Howell had set records for passing yards and touchdowns for UNC. He was selected by the Washington Commanders with the 144th pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, good for a fifth-round selection. The selection was considered a huge steal with some projections before the draft placing him as an early pick with upside.
After not playing the entire year, Howell got his first playing time in the final week of the year. A solid showing for a rookie later, he had impressed head coach Ron Rivera enough to invest in him as the starting quarterback going forward. In the 2023 season, he has been consistently solid, if unspectacular. With a 13-8 TD-INT ratio, he is starting to gain steam and learning to handle an NFL offense better by the day.
After his draft, the 23-year-old signed his four-year rookie contract with the Commanders on May 6, 2022.
Sam Howell Contract Breakdown
Here is a breakdown of Sam Howell’s current four-year deal with the Washington Commanders:
| Contract | Signing Bonus | Average Salary | GTD at Sign | Total GTD |
| 4 yr(s) / $4,021,600 | $361,6000 | $1,005,400 | $361,600 | $361,600 |
| Year | Base Salary | Signing Bonus | Cap Hit | Dead Cap | Yearly Cash |
| 2022 | $705,000 | $90,400 | $795,400 | $361,600 | $1,066,6000 |
| 2023 | $870,000 | $90,400 | $960,400 | $271,200 | $870,000 |
| 2024 | $985,000 | $90,400 | $1,075,400 | $180,800 | $985,000 |
| 2025 | $1,100,000 | $90,400 | $1,190,400 | $90,400 | $1,100,000 |
How much is Sam Howell getting paid?
Sam Howell’s current contract is earning him just a touch over $1 million dollars annually, on average. By the time his contract with the Washington Commanders runs out in 2025, he will have earned upwards of $4 million.
How much money does Sam Howell make a minute?
Due to his relatively low draft positioning, Sam Howell signed a mediocre contract with the Washington Commanders. Valued at $4,021,600 over a 4-year duration, the contract will see him earn almost $2 a minute each day.
How much of Sam Howell’s Contract is guaranteed?
While the typical rookie contract usually sees the entire sum guaranteed to the player, the low draft position of Sam Howell allowed the Washington Commanders to bypass that clause. Instead, his signing bonus also masqueraded as the amount guaranteed to Howell at the time of signing and also for the duration of the contract valued at $361,600.
What are the terms of Sam Howell’s Contract?
Sam Howell’s rookie scale contract is one without many clauses or offsets. The Washington Commanders got the QB at the cheap price of $4,021,600 spread over 4 years. What further makes the contract even more lucrative for the Washington front office is the lack of a true guaranteed clause. Howell’s signing bonus of $361,600 is the amount guaranteed to him. Any future payments are based on availability and become eligible accordingly.
In 2023, Howell has a base salary of $870,000, while it carries a cap hit of $960,400, and a dead cap worth $271,200.
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FAQs
A: Sam Howell signed a contract for 4 years in 2022 after getting drafted by the Washington Commanders. Currently, he is in year 2 of that contract with some solid performances under his belt.
A: This season, Sam Howell will earn a base salary worth $870,000, while earning an additional $90,400 as part of his signing bonus. That amount coupled with his solid production makes him one of the cheaper bargains throughout the league and a brilliant money-for-value contract.
A: Typically a position that doesn’t warrant as many hits as a receiver, a quarterback needs a stocky but strong frame to absorb the occasional hit. At 100 kg, Sam Howell’s frame perfectly fits that bill.
A: Sam Howell has been sporting the #14 since his debut for the Washington Commanders.
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