Howell fits into the Vikings' quarterback room decently as a mobile passer with experience in the West Coast offense. Howell has 22 passing touchdowns -- and 23 interceptions -- in 20 career games. That's not great, but working in the Vikings offense with their incredible receiving corps hasn't been a bad thing for quarterbacks for the past few seasons. Howell is only likely to play if second-year passer J.J. McCarthy misses playing time or is woefully ineffective. If that happens, figure Howell will be worth speculating on off the waiver wire. You may consider Howell with a late pick in deep two-QB leagues.
The Vikings traded Howell along with a 2026 sixth-round draft pick to Philadelphia on Sunday in exchange for a fifth-round pick in 2026 and a seventh-round selection in 2027, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Howell had been slated to back up starting QB J.J. McCarthy in Minnesota, but that role will now go to Carson Wentz, who is set to sign with the Vikings, per Rapoport. As for Howell, he'll likely be behind both Jalen Hurts and Tanner McKee on the Eagles' QB depth chart, though McKee is dealing with a finger injury and may not be ready to play by Week 1. Philadelphia also has Dorian Thompson-Robinson and Kyle McCord currently on the roster, though at least one -- and likely both -- will almost certainly be cut in the coming days.
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Vikings' Sam Howell: Poor showing in Saturday's start
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Howell completed one of five passes for 13 yards and an interception in Saturday's 20-12 preseason loss to the Patriots. He added 14 rushing yards on three carries.
The fourth-year QB isn't exactly known for his mobility, but he gained more yards on the ground than through the air in two drives as part of an overall poor performance from the Vikings' offense. Howell is set as the top backup to J.J. McCarthy this season, but the 2024 first-round pick would have to be a significant flop, or suffer another serious injury, for the former Commander and Seahawk to see more than mop-up duty this season.
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Vikings' Sam Howell: Will start Saturday's game
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Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell said Thursday that Howell will start Saturday's preseason game against the Patriots.
Howell completed 11 of 13 passes for 105 yards and rushed four times for two yards and a touchdown during Minnesota's preseason opener against Houston, which he entered after J.J. McCarthy started the first drive. Top wide receiver Justin Jefferson (hamstring) won't be available Saturday, but Jordan Addison (suspension) remains eligible to suit up for preseason action despite having to delay his regular-season debut until Week 4. It seems more likely than not, though, that O'Connell will sit the rest of Minnesota's starters alongside McCarthy.
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Vikings' Sam Howell: Runs for TD against Texans
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Howell completed 11 of 13 passes for 105 yards and added two yards and a touchdown on four carries in Saturday's 20-10 preseason win over Houston.
J.J. McCarthy got the start for Minnesota but played only one drive before turning things over to Howell, who produced points on his first two possessions in a very efficient performance, including a one-yard TD on a QB sneak late in the second quarter. The former starter for the Commanders is set to be the backup for the Vikings this season, and that experience could come in handy for Howell if McCarthy -- who missed his entire rookie season in 2024 due to knee surgery -- has trouble staying healthy once again.
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Vikings' Sam Howell: On the move to Minnesota
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Howell was traded from the Seahawks to the Vikings on Saturday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
This was a likely outcome for Howell after Seattle drafted Jalen Milroe on Day 2 of the NFL Draft. Howell has starting experience and is a serviceable backup behind J.J. McCarthy, who is set to take over as the new starter in Minnesota.
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Seahawks' Sam Howell: Receiving trade interest
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The Seahawks have received trade inquiries about Howell and are open to trading him, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.
Howell served as Seattle's backup last season and threw just 14 passes behind the mostly healthy Geno Smith. With Smith now in Las Vegas, Seattle has revamped its quarterback room, bringing in both Sam Darnold and Drew Lock. GM John Schneider said earlier this week that Howell would compete with Lock for the backup QB role, but the organization's reported willingness to deal Howell suggests that Lock has the inside track on the job. Howell could be an intriguing option for teams in need of a backup QB -- despite his struggles in a very limited sample last season (he completed just five of those 14 pass attempts), he has ample experience as a starter, completing 63 percent of his pass attempts for 3,946 yards and a 21:21 TD:INT over 17 regular-season games with Washington in 2023.
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Seahawks' Sam Howell: Plays 25 snaps in 2024
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Howell completed five of 14 passes for 24 yards and an interception and rushed once for two yards across three games during the 2024 season.
Howell played just 25 snaps this season, 24 of which were in relief of an injured Geno Smith in Week 15 against the Packers. Howell's numbers are unappealing, but he should still be considered a formidable backup moving forward, as he posted 3,946 passing yards, 21 touchdowns and 21 interceptions in 2023 for the Commanders. Smith and Howell both have one year remaining on their respective contracts, so as long as Smith isn't cut as a cap casualty, Howell's two years removed from being able to compete for a starting job.
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Seahawks' Sam Howell: Efficient in second exhibition game
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Howell completed 11 of 14 passes for 153 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions in Saturday's 16-15 preseason loss to the Titans. He added two rushes for 11 yards.
The Seahawks have shown little interest in playing their starters this preseason, leaving Howell to handle the majority of the exhibition contests. He played a clean game Saturday and dropped a beautiful pass into the arms of Easop Winston late in the first quarter for a 23-yard touchdown. Geno Smith remains the clear starter in Seattle, but Howell has looked like a very serviceable backup.
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Seahawks' Sam Howell: Headed for Seattle
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The Commanders are sending Howell, a fourth-round draft pick and a sixth-rounder to the Seahawks in exchange for third and fifth-round draft choices, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
With Howell no longer in the mix, Washington figures to use the No. 2 overall pick in April's NFL Draft on a new franchise QB. Meanwhile, Howell, who started all 17 of the Commanders' regular-season games in 2023, fills the void created by Drew Lock's departure in free agency and gives the Seahawks an alternative to incumbent No. 1 signal-caller Geno Smith.
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Commanders' Sam Howell: Picked off twice in finale
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Howell completed 19 of 27 passes for 153 yards and a touchdown with two interceptions in Sunday's 38-10 loss to the Cowboys.
It was a fittingly rough end to a poor season for Washington, and Howell wraps up his first -- and possibly last -- season as the team's starting quarterback with a 21:21 TD:INT over 17 games, with the interceptions being the most in the NFL. The 2022 fifth-round selection is expected to get serious competition for the starting job in the offseason, likely from whoever the Commanders select with the second overall pick in the 2024 Draft, and Howell is likely to head into Week 1 of next year in the No. 2 spot on the depth chart.
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Commanders' Sam Howell: QBs to Sit
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Howell will start again for the Commanders in Week 18, but I'm not sure he's even a good starting option in Superflex and two-quarterback leagues. Howell hasn't scored 20 Fantasy points in a game since Week 11, and he's combined for 17.2 Fantasy points in his past three outings against the Rams, Jets and 49ers. He was benched in two of those games, and this has been a disastrous finish for the second-year quarterback. He scored 17.3 Fantasy points at Dallas in Week 12 when he passed for 300 yards, no touchdowns and one interception and ran for 13 yards and a touchdown, and this Cowboys defense has been tough on opposing quarterbacks all season. In their past four games, Dallas has limited Jalen Hurts, Josh Allen, Tua Tagovailoa and Jared Goff to 17.9 Fantasy points or less in each outing.
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Commanders' Sam Howell: QBs to Start
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Howell will start again for the Commanders in Week 18, but I'm not sure he's even a good starting option in Superflex and two-quarterback leagues. Howell hasn't scored 20 Fantasy points in a game since Week 11, and he's combined for 17.2 Fantasy points in his past three outings against the Rams, Jets and 49ers. He was benched in two of those games, and this has been a disastrous finish for the second-year quarterback. He scored 17.3 Fantasy points at Dallas in Week 12 when he passed for 300 yards, no touchdowns and one interception and ran for 13 yards and a touchdown, and this Cowboys defense has been tough on opposing quarterbacks all season. In their past four games, Dallas has limited Jalen Hurts, Josh Allen, Tua Tagovailoa and Jared Goff to 17.9 Fantasy points or less in each outing.
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Commanders' Sam Howell: Struggles in blowout loss
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Howell completed 17 of 28 passes for 169 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions in Sunday's 27-10 loss to the 49ers.
After the Commanders announced that Howell would be benched early in the week, he was forced into the starting role with Jacoby Brissett (hamstring) sidelined. He struggled in a tough matchup, averaging only 6.0 yards per attempt while turning the ball over twice. Howell did have positive moments, as he completed three passes of at least 20 yards and also connected with Terry McLaurin for a three-yard touchdown late in the second quarter. It's unclear whether Howell will get the chance to start in Week 18 against the Cowboys, but he has now failed to throw for multiple touchdowns in six straight games.
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Commanders' Sam Howell: In line to start Sunday
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Howell is slated to start Sunday's game against the 49ers, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Per Rapoport, Jacoby Brissett (hamstring) is in line to be deemed inactive as the team's third QB following a pre-game workout Sunday. Howell, who was originally on track to give way to Brissett in Week 17, is thus slated to get the start and now represents a fantasy lineup option for those in need of signal-caller help this week.
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Commanders' Sam Howell: Still in mix to start Week 17
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Howell would start Sunday's game against the 49ers if Jacoby Brissett (hamstring) -- who is listed as questionable -- doesn't play, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Brissett was added to the injury report Friday due to hamstring tightness. Howell started Washington's first 15 games of the season but was set to move to a backup role after being benched mid-game in both of his last two outings. If Brissett is unable to play this weekend, Howell will make his 16th start of the season, though the second-year signal-caller is unlikely to bounce back against the tough 49ers defense after posting a 2:8 TD:INT over his last five starts.
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Commanders' Sam Howell: Demoted to backup role
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Commanders head coach Ron Rivera said Wednesday that Howell won't start Sunday's game against the 49ers, with Jacoby Brissett set to lead Washington's offense moving forward, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Howell has started each of Washington's first 15 games, but he's unraveled over the last three outings. In losses to the Dolphins, Rams and Jets, Howell has been pulled early in favor of Brissett on two occasions and completed just 29 of 71 attempts (40.8 percent) for 285 yards (4.0 YPA) while throwing for one touchdown against four interceptions and taking five sacks. Brissett, meanwhile, nearly led the Commanders to a come-from-behind win after entering in the third quarter of this past Sunday's 30-28 loss to the Jets, and the coaching staff now looks ready to give him a look in the starting role for the final two games of the season. Unless Howell is used off the bench, he'll finish the 2023 campaign with a 63.2 percent completion rate for 6.5 YPA and a 19:17 TD:INT to go with 265 rushing yards and five scores on the ground.
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Commanders' Sam Howell: Benched again in Week 16
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Howell completed six of 22 passes for 56 yards and two interceptions before being replaced by Jacoby Brissett in the third quarter of Sunday's 30-28 loss to the Jets.
The quarterback's poor play helped put the Commanders in a 27-7 hole at halftime, and after Howell tossed his second INT of the day, coach Ron Rivera benched him for the second straight week. With Brissett having played well both times he's come on in relief, and Howell having been picked off in five straight games with a 2:8 TD:INT during that stretch, Rivera has a full-blown QB controversy on his hands heading into a Week 17 clash with the 49ers.
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Commanders' Sam Howell: QBs to Sit
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Howell is expected to remain the Commanders starter in Week 16 at the Jets after he was benched in Week 15 at the Rams. I thought he would play well given the matchup, but he struggled at Los Angeles with 11-of-26 passing for 102 yards, one touchdown and one interception, along with 22 rushing yards, and he was benched for Jacoby Brissett. Hopefully, Howell can play well enough to stay in the game in Week 16, but this is a brutal matchup against the Jets, who are No. 2 in fewest Fantasy points allowed to opposing quarterbacks at 14.7 per game. Howell also has scored fewer than 20 Fantasy points in four games in a row coming into this contest.
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Commanders' Sam Howell: Tosses 300 yards in loss
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Howell completed 28 of 44 passes for 300 yards and an interception while adding 13 rushing yards and a touchdown on two carries in Thursday's 45-10 loss to the Cowboys.
The second-year quarterback played relatively mistake-free ball until a desperation drive late in the fourth quarter ended on a pick-six by DaRon Bland. It's the fourth time in the last five games Howell has thrown for at least 300 yards, but that yardage has come on sky-high volume -- he's attempted more than 40 passes in six straight contests and eight of the last nine as the Commanders' offense tries to compensate for its porous defense. That formula doesn't figure to change much in Week 13 against the Dolphins.
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Commanders' Sam Howell: Start Him (Lineup Decisions)
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Howell proved last week that he can crush good defenses when he isn't pressured, now he's taking on one of the least pressuring defenses in the league. He also should throw a good amount of the time, possibly seeing 35 attempts because the Commanders run game could struggle. Howell fits in as a top-10 Fantasy quarterback this week. I'd start him over Derek Carr, Gardner Minshew, Will Levis and Geno Smith.
