John KeimESPN Staff Writer2:36 PM ET5 Minute Read
Ron Rivera expresses support for Sam Howell amid Lamar Jackson rumours
After Lamar Jackson’s trade request went public, Ron Rivera voices his support for Sam Howell as the Commanders’ quarterback.
PHOENIX — Washington Commanders coach Ron Rivera said they never considered going after Lamar Jackson, but despite declared excitement over Sam Howell, he hasn’t ruled out drafting a quarterback in the first round.
Rivera and the Commanders have been claiming all offseason that they never entered the Jackson Sweepstakes, a year after they aggressively pursued and traded quarterbacks for Carson Wentz.
However, due to financial considerations surrounding the Ravens’ QB and the Commanders’ opinion of Howell, they decided to take a different route this offseason.
Rivera has consistently said Howell will start spring training as the No. 1 quarterback. But he’s also said Howell, who started one game as a rookie and attempted 19 passes last season, has yet to earn the starting job.
He will compete for the position with Jacoby Brissett, who was signed during free agency.
“If Jacoby deserves it, I will play Jacoby,” Rivera said Tuesday.
Rivera also said they haven’t ruled out a third contender: a quarterback drafted in the first round. On Monday, Commanders General Manager Martin Mayhew said, “We’re moving forward with Sam and Jacoby.” He later said, “We feel good about our quarterback situation.”
However, the franchise has had a different starting quarterback starting day for each of the past six seasons. Rivera started eight different quarterbacks in his first three seasons.
Therefore, they would at least consider taking a quarterback with the 16th pick, although it’s uncertain if any of the top quarterbacks will still be available.
“We must examine every avenue and every opportunity,” Rivera said. “We want to make a decision about the best player for us, the best player available. It’s two things because the best player could be in a different position, but the best player could be in that position. We’ll see.”
While Washington is keeping that option open, it will not entertain Jackson. Baltimore placed the non-exclusive franchise tag on Jackson, allowing other teams to deal with him — but the Ravens would be able to match any offer or receive two first-round picks in return.
“We never did,” Rivera said when asked if they had examined Jackson. “We felt it didn’t fit what we wanted to do. I know he is an enormous talent. I know he is a player who can influence your team. I just didn’t think … that was the direction for us as a team.”
Washington went into the offseason with approximately $13 million in salary cap. But the commanders also wanted to sign Daron Payne for defensive tackle extension to get that goal before the free hand began. Payne agreed to a four-year, $59 million guaranteed deal worth up to $90 million.
They had signed receiver Terry McLaurin on a three-year extension with a guaranteed $53 million and up to $68.4 million in value. They’ll also look to extend players like defensive end Montez Sweat and safe Kamren Curl sometime this offseason. These decisions could also depend on what a new owner wants or allows.
But, Rivera said, had they changed their plans because they knew Jackson would be available, their list would look different.
“Now you want to do something different, and that could affect those dynamic playmakers, that frontline that you’re trying to build,” Rivera said. “We’re making rosters for the first time and we feel really good about being able to do the things that we’re doing right now.”
Rivera said that if a new ownership group wanted him to explore other options at quarterback, “we definitely have to. But again, we will do those things when they come to us.”
Having a quarterback with a rookie contract like Howell allowed them to build a stronger roster, Rivera said.
“When you bring a player with a big number does it affect you and what do you have to give up now? Who do you have to let go?” Rivera said. “We didn’t want to let certain players go that we brought in for certain reasons.
“We’re in a position where we can sign guys because of the quarterback situation. We have a moderate hit from this position, which allows us to do some things that we have done.”
Brissett signed a one-year deal worth up to $9 million. They also signed quarterback Jake Fromm for $940,000.
Howell is under contract for three more seasons, but if he’s playing the way Washington hopes it would have to pay big bucks to keep him.
“But we can plan for that at this point and go from there,” Rivera said. “That might kick as a bit of a road because we’re not at the point where we have to decide who’s going and who’s staying.”
Washington drafted Howell in the fifth round last spring, but a source said ahead of the draft that commanders would have targeted him in the second or third round had they not traded for Wentz. Rivera said they saw growth in him throughout the season, particularly in decision making.
“We think Sam will be a good football player. We really do,” Rivera said. “I don’t think this is as wild a shot as people think it is. Part of it is because you like a young man [San Francisco’s Brock] Purdy is having the season he had last year and you want to be like, ‘Wow, we have a guy with the same skills and abilities.'”