The Washington Commanders have the opportunity to acquire a talented quarterback, and Drake Maye is a solid option to take over for Sam Howell. Maye, hailing from North Carolina, possesses the ideal qualities of a franchise quarterback, being a skilled pocket passer with both mobility and the necessary abilities. Chris Trapasso from CBS Sports supports this notion.
In the 2024 NFL draft, Maye was selected as the Commanders’ top choice with the second overall pick. It is expected that the Commanders will retain this pick for their upcoming game against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 18, according to predictions. Maye is likely to replace Howell, another North Carolina alumni, who showed promise in his second year, but with a new coaching staff, it is anticipated that they will want a new quarterback as well. Given the possibility of changes in the coaching staff and front office, it is reasonable to imagine Maye joining Washington.
The Commanders had high hopes for Howell this season, expecting him to be a quarterback with exceptional agility and an outstanding throwing arm. However, as the season progressed, the 23-year-old’s performance declined, leading to him being benched. Howell’s struggles negatively affected the talented group of receivers on the team, which includes McLaurin, Dotson, Samuel, and Thomas.
The upcoming starting quarterback will have plenty of weapons available to them. Maye proved his capabilities during his time with the Tar Heels, throwing for 24 touchdowns and running for nine more in 2023. According to Ian Valentino from Pro Football Network, Maye excelled in making impressive plays while throwing off balance or even using his non-throwing hand.
Maye’s ability to improvise should attract the attention of Eric Bieniemy, the offensive coordinator for the Commanders. Bieniemy was instrumental in refining Patrick Mahomes, the ultimate free-spirited player, during his time with the Kansas City Chiefs. While he was unable to recreate the same success with Howell, Bieniemy’s daring approach to calling plays makes him a valuable asset for the Commanders. Thankfully, Bieniemy still has another year left on his contract, despite already receiving interest from the Los Angeles Chargers.
Combining Bieniemy and Maye would provide an innovative coordinator with a quarterback who possesses exceptional throwing abilities and is prepared to quickly adjust to professional play. Illustrating Maye’s potential from the pocket, this touchdown pass executed against Virginia, as emphasized by Ryan McCrary of With the First Pick, exemplifies his capabilities.
Selecting a franchise-caliber quarterback would offer the Commanders the most effective means of reestablishing their team.
The Howell experiment has proven unsuccessful, and head coach Ron Rivera is likely to face the consequences. His exit will require the Commanders to undergo another rebuilding phase, which necessitates finding a talented quarterback to give them a strong start.
Additionally, Rivera was unable to build a formidable defense. However, a standout quarterback can greatly improve the prospects of a struggling team, as demonstrated by the Houston Texans and C.J. Stroud.
The Commanders should follow the Texans’ approach of hiring a defensive-focused head coach, such as former San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans. Additionally, they should allow Bieniemy to guide Maye, thereby providing the Commanders with the optimal opportunity for a swift improvement.
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