Ron Rivera Presser: Sam Howell will definitely be a QB next year, but I won’t give you a number at this point

LIVE: HC Ron Rivera speaks to the media https://t.co/30nqTbJTTs

— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) January 9, 2023

Rivera on Howell’s first start pic.twitter.com/joMbveCV5u

— Zach Selby (@ZachSelbyWC) January 9, 2023

Rivera said for the most part that Howell delivered the ball on time and had good anticipation

— Zach Selby (@ZachSelbyWC) January 9, 2023

Rivera said what they saw from Howell today is “what we saw coming out of college.”

— John Keim (@john_keim) January 9, 2023

Ron Rivera, on if Sam Howell may be viewed as QB1 or QB2 next year: “Well, he’ll definitely be a QB. I won’t give you a number at this point.”

— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) January 9, 2023

Rivera said “it is about the QB making plays they’re supposed to make and every now and then when you need a big play, make a big play. That’s what we need to get to.”

— John Keim (@john_keim) January 9, 2023

Intensity, focus, the Washington Commanders looked like a completely different team tonight compared to what we saw last week against the Browns.

I asked head coach Ron Rivera about that and he vehemently disagreed with that assessment.

More tonight on @7NewsDC pic.twitter.com/QoKJCP1vxx

— Scott Abraham (@Scott7news) January 9, 2023

Ron Rivera is very upset with the notion that his team was more intense today than it was last week. Says they've played with intensity all year and the Cleveland loss just didn't go their way

— Pete Hailey (@PeteHaileyNBCS) January 9, 2023

Rivera said they’ll evaluate the staff this week into next week.

— John Keim (@john_keim) January 9, 2023

Rivera said LB Khaleke Hudson “had a tremendous game.” Hudson was very active.

— John Keim (@john_keim) January 9, 2023

Rivera said the pick six by Fuller was great anticipation. It mirrored exactly what they saw with the Texans. Fuller undercut it perfectly

— Zach Selby (@ZachSelbyWC) January 9, 2023

Rivera said this game is something to build on. He told the team people expected them to lay down and they had no plans of doing that.

— Zach Selby (@ZachSelbyWC) January 9, 2023

Ron Rivera assessing the state of the franchise: "I feel like we have our heads above water." Adds that with a few more smart moves, he believes the organization can evolve

— Pete Hailey (@PeteHaileyNBCS) January 9, 2023

Ron Rivera: “I really feel a lot of positives are starting to go our way. … A big part of it is the football aspect. … We feel like we’re headed in the right direction.”

— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) January 9, 2023

Sam Howell says he got back the game football he threw his first NFL career touchdown pass with. Terry McLaurin threw the ball in the stands after the TD. @wusa9 #HTTC

pic.twitter.com/hgEMnW0oLQ

— Darren M. Haynes (@DarrenMHaynes) January 9, 2023

TD on first career pass = big confidence booster @Sam7Howell | @JPFinlayNBCS | #HTTC pic.twitter.com/bhPXBRlAFa

— NBC Sports Commanders (@NBCSCommanders) January 9, 2023

Heinicke was asked about possibly being his last game in Washington- says it’s been a joy to play here and hopes to come back pic.twitter.com/rWYwigofQG

— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) January 9, 2023

Taylor Heinicke on his emotions after the game and the possibility this was last game with the Commanders: pic.twitter.com/5r8pKhT30K

— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) January 9, 2023

Taylor Heinicke made sure to take in FedEx Field one more time in case it was his last time in a Washington uniform. Thought about his many memories, most notably the playoff pylon dive. The future free agent is “100%” open to returning to the team

— Pete Hailey (@PeteHaileyNBCS) January 9, 2023

Taylor Heinicke said postgame he'd "100%" be open to returning to the Commanders.

"There's no other organization or team I'd rather be with than these guys."

— Ethan Cadeaux (@Ethan_Cadeaux) January 9, 2023

Terry McLaurin on Sam Howell pic.twitter.com/z2HYKMOeXp

— Zach Selby (@ZachSelbyWC) January 9, 2023

McLaurin on the 52-yard grab: Howell has a lot of trust in his arm. “That ball literally walked into my hands.”

— Zach Selby (@ZachSelbyWC) January 9, 2023

Terry McLaurin said Sam Howell “makes some throws that make you say wow.” He said on the 52-yarder it was the first time they ran that together. “It’s like he walked it down to me,” McLaurin said.

— John Keim (@john_keim) January 9, 2023

Terry McLaurin said Sam Howell addressed the team post-game: “For a rookie to get his first start against a team like that and to play the way he did, overcome some adversity and then give a speech — I’ve heard some good speeches, but not from a young guy like that.” pic.twitter.com/0lKAjnxsdO

— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) January 9, 2023

Per McLaurin, the ball has been returned. He's appreciative of the fan for giving it up and joked that he was willing to give up his own jersey to ensure Howell got it back https://t.co/wKrCOQ5h47

— Pete Hailey (@PeteHaileyNBCS) January 9, 2023

Terry McLaurin said he regretted throwing the first TD into the stands. Was Howell’s first TD pass. McLaurin said they negotiated with the fan who caught the ball, going to give them a signed Howell ball.

— John Keim (@john_keim) January 9, 2023

No longer a rookie!

I caught up with @JahanDotson after tonight's game.

He finished the season with 35 catches, 7 of those were for touchdowns.

More tonight on @7NewsDC pic.twitter.com/5BBhdCoSmo

— Scott Abraham (@Scott7news) January 9, 2023

Logan Thomas is leaving the stadium with a signed Taylor Heinicke jersey. “I love that kid man” Logan said. They’ve been really close the past couple of seasons

— Pete Hailey (@PeteHaileyNBCS) January 9, 2023

"I think we have something to build on"

The season is over for the Washington Commanders.

However, tight end Logan Thomas is optimistic in the direction this team is heading.

More tonight on @7NewsDC pic.twitter.com/QGkGe9EpVu

— Scott Abraham (@Scott7news) January 9, 2023

Daron Payne has been a beast all season.

But, will he be back next season with the Commanders?

Did he walk off the FedEx Field for the final time in a Washington uniform?

I asked Daron about that after tonight's game.

More tonight on @7NewsDC pic.twitter.com/orQyLdOkWV

— Scott Abraham (@Scott7news) January 9, 2023

I love this dude. The fans love this dude.@JR1ERA capping off a Pro Bowl season with a win over the Cowboys.

I caught up with Jeremy after tonight's game.

He said this final game, "is a moment where you appreciate all the guys."

More tonight on @7NewsDC pic.twitter.com/aIvKFI3Xbg

— Scott Abraham (@Scott7news) January 9, 2023