PHOENIX (AP)  is going into offseason workouts as the ' starting quarterback, said Wednesday.The second-year pro will still have competition along the way, but Rivera's declaration appears to take the organization Klay Thompson Jersey  out of the running for high-profile veterans such as Aaron Rodgers, Derek Carr or even Jimmy Garoppolo, who was an option last year before .That went poorly, so Howell takes the lead in the aftermath of the failed Wentz experiment.Sam Howell is going to start out as QB1, Rivera said on the . The key to that, though, is hes going to have to earn it to keep, thats for darn sure. last year out of North Carolina. Before a rough final college season, he was projected to be Chris Webber Jersey  a top-10 pick  if not first overall. in the regular-season finale after the Commanders were eliminated from playoff contention. in beating the playoff-bound Dallas Cowboys. That game to me really epitomized what we potentially can be as a football team and what we should be, Rivera said after being the recipient of the USAA Salute to Service Award.Howell was the eighth quarterback to start a game in three seasons since Rivera took over in Washington with control over football operations. If he earns the job to start the season, Mychal Mulder Jersey  Howell would be the team's seventh different Week 1 starting QB in as many years, following Wentz (2022), Ryan Fitzpatrick (21), Dwayne Haskins (20), Case Keenum (19),  Eric Paschall Jersey Alex Smith (18) and Kirk Cousins (17). Wentz, who threw three interceptions in the lo s to Cleveland that contributed to the Commanders being eliminated, is expected to be released before the start of the new league year in March.Rivera and the Commanders are still looking for an offensive coordinator after , who has since . San Francisco 49ers a sistant head coach/running backs coach Anthony Lynn, former Denver Broncos offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur, current Washington quarterbacks coach Ken Zampese, Atlanta Falcons QBs coach Charles London, Miami Dolphins a sociate head coach/RBs coach Eric Studesville and Los Angeles Rams a sistant head coach/tight ends coach Thomas Brown. .Washington would need to wait until after the Super Bowl to speak with Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy. ___Whyno reported from Ky Bowman Jersey  Washington. ___AP NFL: hub/nfl and AP_NFL   in this topic Click here Click here Click here