Sam Howell: 5 things to know about Commander’s quarterback

Sam Howell calls it the “ultimate blessing” to be part of the Washington Commanders organization.

The quarterback was drafted in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL Draft (the 114th pick overall) by the Washington Commanders and signed a four-year rookie contract with the team in May of that year.

Howell admitted he “didn’t expect” to play much during his first season with the team, but made the most of his time on the field. (Howell made his NFL debut in January 2023 against the Dallas Cowboys. The Commanders won 26 to 6.)

That same month, commander’s coach Ron Rivera named Howell the starting quarterback entering the offseason.

“I feel like I learned a lot last year and in the last game I got a chance to go out there and show what I’m capable of,” Howell said during an offseason press conferenceahead of the 2023 NFL season.”[I] I’ve been trying to carry that momentum into the offseason and come back here this spring and show that I can really be the guy to lead this franchise back to where we want to be.

From Rivera’s point of view, Howell appears to have proven himself on the court.

“He’s more than just a serviceable quarterback now,” Rivera said ESPN about Howell in October 2023. “He is a man who is growing. He is a man who can win. … I’m excited about it, excited for the team.”

Keep scrolling for everything you need to know about Howell:

1. Where did Sam Howell go to college?

Howell attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he played football for three years before entering the NFL draft.

In 2019, he became the first freshman to become UNC’s starting quarterback.

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2. Who are Sam Howell’s parents?

Howell’s parents are mentioned Duke And Amy Howell. The soccer star hasn’t shared much about his family life, but did honor his Korean heritage in November 2022, following the death of his grandmother.

“I’m super curious about my Korean heritage, and I think I’m even more curious now that my grandma is gone, because she was the main thing that connected me to it, and I always needed her to tell me about it,” said Howell in one interview for the Commanders’ website in March 2023. “I’m very proud of my background and where I come from, and I think it’s just an amazing part of me that I want people to know.”

3. What is Sam Howell’s diet?

Howell’s diet has made headlines because he eats “only” chicken.

“People give me a hard time, but the only meat I eat is chicken,” Howell admitted during an interview from his time at UNC. “It’s been that way all my life. I really don’t know why. I started doing that when I was younger, but it’s something I’ve continued with my whole life.”

4. Does Sam Howell have a girlfriend?

Howell appears to be in a relationship with Chloe Barbu.

While Howell last posted with Barbu in May 2022, she often shares social media posts from Commanders games.

5. What are Sam Howell’s NFL stats?

Howell has found widespread success in the NFL since becoming the Commanders’ starting quarterback. In November 2023, he was named the NFL quarterback with the most passing yards.