The Minnesota Vikings are sending backup quarterback Sam Howell to the Philadelphia Eagles, according to Ben Goessling of the Minnesota Star Tribune. As part of the deal, Minnesota will send Howell and a sixth-round pick in 2026 to Philly for a fifth-rounder in 2026 and a seventh-rounder in 2027. With Tanner McKee (finger) uncertain for the start of the season, the Eagles have another backup option behind Jalen Hurts. Minnesota, meanwhile, moved quickly on Howell, flipping him to Philly and signing veteran Carson Wentz to serve as J.J. McCarthy's backup.
Aug 24, 2025 10:40 AM EST
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Howell had a rough showing Saturday, completing just one pass from five attempts for 13 yards with a brutal interception. The veteran, who is on his third team in three years, is still the favorite to backup J.J. McCarthy, but hasn't been convincing during this preseason. Howell did add 14 yards on three rushes leading the offense without top receivers Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, but the Vikings also took long looks at Brett Rypien and Max Brosmer on Saturday. From a fantasy perspective, Howell is only roster-worthy as McCarthy insurance in deep formats.
Aug 16, 2025 6:53 PM EST
Quarterback Sam Howell played well in his Minnesota Vikings debut, completing 11 of 13 passing attempts for 105 yards and adding a rushing touchdown in a 20-10 victory against Houston. The former North Carolina star is now on his third team in three years after Minnesota traded for him during the NFL Draft, adding a veteran option behind presumptive starter J.J. McCarthy. Howell has the inside track on the No. 2 job over journeyman backup Brett Rypien and undrafted rookie Max Brosmer, and Howell certainly looked the part of a capable backup on Saturday.
Aug 10, 2025 9:40 AM EST
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Howell was usually the second QB to rotate into team drills during offseason workouts behind J.J. McCarthy, which suggests that Howell is the front-runner for the No. 2 job. However, nothing he did this spring indicated that he will push McCarthy to start in 2025, according to ESPN's Kevin Seifert. "He's kind of like J.J.," head coach Kevin O'Connell said, "where he's made some throws where you're like, 'Man, probably shouldn't have made that throw. But I now know on this play, I've got to be careful of this.' And it's all growth." Behind Howell is Brett Rypien and undrafted rookie Max Brosmer. The Vikings acquired Howell in a trade this offseason with Seattle. The former fifth-rounder by the Commanders has completed 62.6% of his passes for 4,139 yards, 22 touchdowns and 23 picks in 20 games (18 starts) in his three NFL seasons.
Jun 17, 2025 12:11 PM EST
The Minnesota Vikings have acquired quarterback Sam Howell and the 172nd overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft from the Seattle Seahawks in exchange for the 142nd overall pick, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. The Vikings were in need of a backup quarterback after a busy offseason that saw Sam Darnold depart in free agency, leaving J.J. McCarthy (knee) as the team's presumptive starter. Ironically, Darnold went to the Seahawks, and Seattle also drafted Jalen Milroe on Friday, leaving Howell as the odd man out. Now, he'll bring his experience and leadership to Minnesota. It's an important addition for the Vikings given that McCarthy, who was last year's first-round pick, has not played a regular-season snap yet. He should start Week 1 this season, but Howell will be next in line if McCarthy suffers another injury or struggles.
Apr 26, 2025 2:13 PM EST
The Seattle Seahawks are open to trading quarterback Sam Howell and have received inquiries from teams interested in landing the backup signal-caller, according to sources. The interest comes after Seattle reunited with former backup Drew Lock last week. Sam Darnold is the starter, but the Seahawks also have Jaren Hall as their No. 4 QB. General manager John Schneider said last week that the team is prepared to have Howell and Lock compete for the backup job behind Darnold this summer. Seattle acquired Howell in a trade last March with the Washington Commanders, giving up third- and fifth-round picks in exchange for fourth- and sixth-round picks. The 24-year-old didn't look great at all in relief of Geno Smith in December after he started all 17 games for the Commanders in 2023, throwing 21 touchdowns and a league-high 21 interceptions.
Apr 21, 2025 11:02 PM EST
Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald said the team doesn't plan on playing backup quarterback Sam Howell in their Week 18 regular-season finale on Sunday against the division-rival Los Angeles Rams. The Seahawks were eliminated from postseason contention in Week 17, but it sounds as though they plan to play all of their starters this weekend to close out the season. Howell has played only 25 offensive snaps in his first year in Seattle and didn't look particularly confident in the rare instances he got into a game this year. Despite dealing with a nagging knee injury of late, the 34-year-old Geno Smith should start and play all of the Week 18 game, lining him up as a QB1 option this week with so many starters across the league being rested in the season finale. Smith enters Week 18 as the QB13 in overall fantasy points with 4,097 passing yards, 17 TDs and 15 interceptions in 16 games.
Jan 1, 2025 5:04 PM EST
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Howell went 11-for-14 for 153 yards and a touchdown in Saturday's loss to the Tennessee Titans. Howell looked shaky early on as the Titans blitzed aggressively out of the gate resulting in back-to-back three-and-outs. Howell actually fumbled while being sacked on the second drive but had the good fortune that a teammate was in position to fall on the ball. Howell recovered well on the team's third possession resulting in a touchdown to Easop Winston Jr. This was Howell's second start in as many preseason games for the Seahawks. Geno Smith (hip/knee) returned to practice last week and carried no designation coming into Saturday but ultimately sat. Howell will be backing up Smith to start the season but it was an encouraging effort after the early miscues.
Aug 18, 2024 2:56 AM EST
Quarterback Sam Howell enjoyed a win in his debut with the Seahawks on Saturday. Howell went 16-for-27 for 130 yards and a touchdown as a passer in Seattle's 16-3 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers. He also gained 17 yards on four rushes. The Chargers' aggressive pass rush kept pressure on Howell throughout the game resulting in several throwaways and broken plays. Howell's first score in a Seahawk uniform was a 13-yard touchdown pass to tight end Brady Russell early in the second quarter. The former Washington Commander came to Seattle via trade in the offseason to back up veteran Geno Smith, who was held out of the preseason game as a precaution. Howell will next be in action when Seattle takes on the Tennessee Titans on August 17.
Aug 11, 2024 4:32 AM EST
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Howell is expected to begin the season behind Geno Smith. However, it appears the former Commander isn't a lock to be the No. 2 signal-caller on the depth chart. "Not much," he said when responding to a question about what he knows about his role heading into the 2023-24 campaign. "They just tell me to keep working and just keep trying to get better every single day, and I'm taking it one day at a time, and I really don't worry too much about the future or what plans they might have for me just because nobody really knows." Howell finished last season by throwing for 3,946 yards, 21 touchdowns, and 21 interceptions. He also completed 63.4% of his throws and added five rushing touchdowns. As such, the 23-year-old could get a chance under center in Seattle if Smith struggles at any point during the season, assuming he doesn't win the starting job during training camp. As a result, dynasty managers playing in multi-quarterback setups and have room to spare should keep Howell on the roster, at least for now.
Jun 2, 2024 8:24 PM EST
The Seattle Seahawks traded for former Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell on March 14. Although the franchise has already declared Geno Smith as the starter in 2024, general manager John Schneider said he "absolutely" believes Howell can be a full-time starter again in the future. Howell started 17 games for Washington last season, throwing for 3,946 yards, 21 touchdowns, and 21 interceptions. He flashed upside and mobility, but the turnover woes proved to mark the end of his short tenure with the Commanders. With Smith turning 34 next season, Seattle will likely have to eye his replacement in the near future. It's not necessarily going to be Howell, but it sounds like the Seahawks are keeping the light on for him moving forward. The North Carolina product doesn't have immediate fantasy value, but he might be worth stashing in Superflex and two-QB dynasty leagues.
Mar 26, 2024 4:11 PM EST
The Seattle Seahawks acquired quarterback Sam Howell from the Washington Commanders on Thursday. There was some speculation that Howell was brought in as competition for veteran signal-caller Geno Smith. Seahawks general manager John Schneider confirmed that they didn't acquire Howell to compete with Smith in camp. It sounds like the Seahawks believe that Howell has the potential to be a starter, but he still has areas to improve upon before moving into that role. Smith is entering the final year of his deal, so maybe the Seahawks move onto Howell after 2024. Regardless, it looks like the plan is for Smith to be under center to begin the 2024 season.
Mar 14, 2024 9:51 PM EST
The Seattle Seahawks have agreed to send a 2024 third-round pick and a 2024 fifth-round pick to the Washington Commanders in exchange for quarterback Sam Howell, a 2024 fourth-round pick, and a 2024 sixth-round pick. Washington just added veteran quarterback Marcus Mariota and is expected to take a rookie quarterback with the No. 2 overall pick in April's draft, so Howell became expendable. The 23-year-old started 17 games for Washington last year, throwing for 3,946 yards, 21 touchdowns, and 21 interceptions. He rushed for 263 yards and five scores. Meanwhile, Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith is entering the final year of his contract and regressed from 4,282 yards and 30 touchdowns in 2022 to 3,624 yards and 20 touchdowns in 2023. Although Smith is likely still the favorite to start for Seattle in 2024, Howell could push for the job this offseason.
Mar 14, 2024 4:15 PM EST
Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell completed 19 of 27 passes for 153 yards, a touchdown, and two interceptions along with one reception for four yards and four carries for negative one yard during Sunday's loss to the Dallas Cowboys. After a series of rough outings, the second-year quarterback closed out the season with his second underwhelming performance against Dallas. In addition to his interceptions, Howell also underthrew a wide-open Terry McLaurin for what would've been a massive touchdown on Washington's first possession. With the Commanders locked into a top-two pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, they're a likely suitor for a high-end quarterback prospect. So, after starting every game this year, Howell will probably be relegated to the backup role next season.
Jan 7, 2024 7:21 PM EST
Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell has been on a downward spiral as inefficient and mistake-ridden play has quickly overshadowed the promise he showed earlier in the season. This week, the second-year quarterback has a tough matchup against the Dallas Cowboys. During their previous matchup in Week 12, Howell couldn't get much going while Washington fell victim to a 35-point blowout loss. Now, if the Cowboys win this game, they'll be locked in as NFC East division champions. While the Cowboys have everything to gain by winning this matchup, the Commanders have no reason to shoot for a win other than pride. With Howell sputtering and Washington having its eyes set on the offseason, he's looking like a low-end QB2 in Week 18.
Jan 5, 2024 2:18 PM EST
Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell will make the start in the Week 18 regular season finale against the Dallas Cowboys. Howell was set to get benched in the Week 17 loss to the San Francisco 49ers before backup Jacoby Brissett suffered a hamstring injury and was ruled out. The 23-year-old will now close out the season under center and will be facing a Cowboys defense that won't be resting players as they look to win the NFC East with a win. Howell struggled once again last Sunday in a tough matchup against the 49ers, throwing for 169 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. The second-year QB has been useful as a streamer in fantasy in good matchups this year, but the turnover-prone gunslinger is a risky QB2 option in Week 18 against a strong Dallas pass rush.
Jan 3, 2024 1:40 PM EST
Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell completed 17 of 28 passes for 169 yards, a touchdown, and two interceptions during Sunday's loss to the San Francisco 49ers. While he looked solid in the first half, things fell apart for Howell in the second as he threw two interceptions and quickly lost confidence. The second-year quarterback wasn't originally the starter for this game, but due to a practice injury suffered by Jacoby Brissett (hamstring), he was the starter by default. If Brissett is available for Week 18, it's unlikely that Howell will start for Washington's season finale against the Dallas Cowboys.
Dec 31, 2023 5:18 PM EST
Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell will start versus the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday with Jacoby Brissett (hamstring) inactive. Heading into this week, head coach Ron Rivera named Brissett the starter after Howell was benched for the second time this season last Sunday. However, Brissett picked up a hamstring injury and was ultimately deemed too injured to play following pregame warmups. Therefore, Howell will return to the top of the depth chart, making his 16th start of the 2023 season. He has produced mixed results this year but could benefit from a pass-heavy attack against a 49ers secondary that has allowed 241.1 passing yards and 1.1 passing touchdowns per game. Fantasy managers should view Howell as a low-end QB2 option this week.
Dec 31, 2023 11:10 AM EST
Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell is expected to draw the start under center for Sunday's game against the San Francisco 49ers. Howell was benched last week after completing only 6-of-22 passing attempts with two interceptions. Veteran quarterback Jacoby Brissett (hamstring) came in and looked much better under center. Sadly, is unlikely to be available for this game due to a lingering hamstring issue. That being said, the Commanders are likely to go back to Howell at quarterback for this weekend. Fantasy managers should stay far away from Howell as he's not a viable option right now.
Dec 30, 2023 6:14 PM EST
Even with his mediocre play, Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell could have another chance to start this week. Due to starting quarterback Jacoby Brissett (hamstring) being questionable for Week 17, Washington may have to turn back to their former starter against the San Francisco 49ers. Howell has struggled mightily as of late, and the matchup with San Francisco doesn't make things any better as they've allowed the third-fewest fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks. Considering his below-average play and the rough matchup, Howell is a low-end QB2 if he starts in Week 17.
Dec 29, 2023 3:48 PM EST
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