They say a tight end is a quarterback’s best friend — especially for a young quarterback.
Ask Patrick Mahomes. Yes, Mahomes is the best quarterback in the NFL, but tight end Travis Kelce is also the NFL’s best at his position. No one knows Mahomes and Kelce better than new Washington offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy.
Bieniemy spent the previous 10 seasons with the Chiefs, the final five as offensive coordinator, and is hoping to repeat some of Kansas City’s offensive success in his new home.
Unfortunately for Bieniemy, he can’t bring Mahomes or Kelce with him.
Bieniemy’s No. 1 goal for the Commanders is to develop young quarterback Sam Howell. Washington has an outstanding defense; the Commanders just need Howell to distribute the ball to his terrific playmakers. He doesn’t need to be Mahomes.
One key to Howell’s success in 2023 is the tight end position. Many felt the Commanders should’ve selected a tight end in the 2023 NFL draft, but Washington liked its group. Head coach Ron Rivera said he felt like veteran Logan Thomas was 100% toward the end of last season and resembling the player he was before his knee injury in 2021.
The Commanders also have four young tight ends but lost to Armani Rogers to an Achilles injury two weeks ago. That leaves John Bates, Cole Turner and Curtis Hodges. Early indications are that Thomas and Howell have developed a strong rapport, and Turner could be one of Washington’s breakout players.
On Friday, Thomas joined SiriusXM NFL radio and offered high praise for his quarterback.
“Sam’s a baller,” Thomas said. “It’s a lot of fun to play with him ’cause he kinda has a like mind of someone who is not exactly a quarterback. He sees the field from like a receiver’s standpoint. And obviously, when he runs the ball, he sees it from a running backs standpoint. He’s special in that regard, and I’m excited to see what he can do. He throws a very catchable ball. None of the receivers, tight ends have had any problem catching it.”
.@Commanders TE Logan Thomas says he's excited to see what QB Sam Howell will bring to the team next season
"Sam's a baller" #HTTC pic.twitter.com/1pk1L8SFgP
— SiriusXM NFL Radio (@SiriusXMNFL) June 9, 2023
Thomas knows a thing or two about playing quarterback. A three-year starter at Virginia Tech, Thomas still owns several of the school’s all-time passing records.
While the Commanders have Terry McLaurin, Jahan Dotson and Curtis Samuel, don’t be surprised if it’s Thomas who is one of the team’s leading receivers in 2023.
