Although rookie J.J. McCarthy is expected to be the future of the Minnesota Vikings, the team isn’t ruling out adding more experience to its quarterback room. According to recent reports, the Vikings could be eyeing Seattle Seahawks backup quarterback — and former Washington Commanders starter — Sam Howell as a potential trade target.
Howell, who was once viewed as a promising starter in Washington, was traded to Seattle last offseason. Now, just a year later, the Seahawks appear open to flipping him again after reshuffling their QB depth chart. With Drew Lock returning to Seattle and Geno Smith still on the roster, Howell is seemingly the odd man out.
On April 18, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler and Brady Henderson reported that the Seahawks have been fielding calls for Howell. “Seattle is open to trading Sam Howell and has received inquiries from teams interested in acquiring their backup quarterback,” they wrote, noting the Seahawks now have four QBs on their depth chart, including Howell and rookie Jaren Hall.
ESPN’s Kevin Seifert also chimed in, posting on April 19 that the situation is “worth keeping an eye on” from a Vikings perspective — a sign that Minnesota could be one of those teams reaching out.
Originally drafted 144th overall in 2022, Howell has shown flashes of promise, completing 62.6% of his passes for 4,139 yards, 22 touchdowns, and 23 interceptions in his NFL career. While his numbers haven’t been perfect, his age (24) and starting experience make him an intriguing option as a developmental backup or insurance policy.
A potential trade scenario floated by insiders would send Howell to the Vikings in exchange for a conditional seventh-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. It’s a low-risk move that could give Minnesota a seasoned alternative behind McCarthy while preserving their already limited 2025 draft capital — the Vikings currently own just four picks in next year’s draft.
With Sam Darnold signed as a high-paid bridge quarterback, the Vikings may still be looking to strike the right balance of youth and experience. Acquiring Howell would give them a low-cost, high-upside player who could push for a backup role or potentially surprise if given another chance to start.
Stay tuned — this could be a smart chess move in Minnesota’s long-term quarterback plan.