DarkVictory23
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This is true, but you know who else's improvement wasn't the norm? Geno Smith.Yeah, but Josh Allen's improvement is not the norm. Weird flex.
Look, I don't think anyone should fool themselves too much. If NFL history is any guide, what just happened to Howell was the start of his tenure as an NFL backup. That's the reality.
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That said, is there reason to be hopeful about what Howell might become going forward? Yeah, absolutely.
First, he's young. As has been mentioned ad infinitum, he's as young or younger than some of the guys coming out of the draft.
Second, what stands out about his problems are the type of issues you completely expect from a college QB getting his first real taste of NFL play. Sam's average time to throw actually isn't that long. It's about league average (similar to Geno's while he's been with the Seahawks). He actually didn't have terrible offensive line play--despite the narrative. He had just NFL average-ish pass protection.
So if he's not holding onto the ball forever and his offensive line isn't actually terrible, why is he getting sacked so much? Because he has no sense for the speed of the game. He's trying to do the things that worked for him in college and they don't because he's not an above average athlete by NFL standards. But that's something you can get better at.
A better offensive coaching staff doesn't put the entirety of their offensive identity on the shoulders of a 5th round draft pick in his first actual season of play.
Sam will get a second chance in the NFL and he won't be in the position of needing to win now or be expected to start. Again, is a turnaround the most likely scenario? No, but I don't think you can ask for a much better situation for him than what is happening.