The Minnesota Vikings still haven’t filled their quarterback vacancy. Pro Bowler Sam Darnold departed for Seattle, Nick Mullens followed assistant OC Grant Udinski to Jacksonville, and Daniel Jones headed to Indianapolis to challenge Anthony Richardson, leaving only J.J. McCarthy and Brett Rypien.
Looks Like a New Vikings QB2 Trade Option Is on the Market
Aug 3, 2024; Eagan, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) warms up during practice at Vikings training camp in Eagan, MN. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
McCarthy is the presumed starter now that the Aaron Rodgers rumors have disappeared, but he has never thrown a pass in the NFL. Wanting someone in the building with more than four career touchdowns to back him up is a reasonable request.
Friday was a mini-doomsday for those who want that because Joe Flacco agreed to terms with the Browns, Josh Johnson joined Jayden Daniels in Washington and later that day, Drew Lock returned to Seattle. There are still some free agents available, but the number surely isn’t rising.
But whenever one fades from the market, another one tumbles down the depth chart, and this time, Lock’s presence hurts Sam Howell’s stock in Seattle. Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, Minnesota’s fourth-year executive, could pick up the phone and try to lure him to the Twin Cities.
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Dec 15, 2024; Seattle, Washington, USA; Green Bay Packers defensive tackle Kenny Clark (97) pressures Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Howell (6) during the fourth quarter at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images
Howell was acquired via trade last offseason to be Geno Smith’s primary backup. They later also added released Vikings sophomore Jaren Hall to the practice squad.
Lock, however, is expected to be the QB2 in Seattle. Jordan Schultz announced the move with the nugget. “Sources: The #Seahawks are signing veteran QB Drew Lock, bringing him back to Seattle for a second stint. He will back up Sam Darnold.”
Last year’s trade also sent a fourth and a sixth-rounder to Seattle, and the Commanders got a third and a fifth back for Howell. A year later, his value diminished even further, and the Vikings could get him for close to nothing.
Nov 23, 2023; Arlington, Texas, USA; Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell (14) in action during the game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Washington Commanders at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Si.com’s Jon Alfano wrote Friday, “The 24-year-old carries a cap hit of $1.1 million in 2025, but none of that is guaranteed. Seattle can cut him at any time and it wouldn’t even take on any dead money in the process. The Seahawks could attempt to trade Howell, but at this point, his calue is probably at an all-time low. Remember, they acquired him along with fourth- and sixth-round picks from the Commanders in exchange for third- and sixth-round picks, so they essentially just traded down twice to get him.”
Howell might not be a starter in the NFL, but he’s a capable QB2 and brings one year of starting experience to the table.
He was drafted in the underwhelming 2022 quarterback class. Analysts were all over the place predicting his draft value, with opinions landing somewhere between first-rounder and day-three guy, but he ultimately got his draft-day call in the fifth round.
The Commanders gave him one start in his debut season, and he threw one touchdown and one interception. In the following offseason, Howell was named QB1 and started all 17 contests. For some reason, the sophomore led the league in pass attempts and threw 21 touchdowns and, another league-lead, 21 picks.
Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell (14) is shown with the ball at MetLife Stadium against the New York Jets, Sunday December 24, 2023.
Last season with the Seahawks, he appeared in two games and didn’t look particularly good, completing only 5 of 14 passes for 24 yards and an interception.
Howell took a ridiculous 65 sacks in 2023, and the number of interceptions piled up that year, too. However, he has a gunslinger mentality that Kevin O’Connell liked in Nick Mullens; that’s why he employed him for three years.
Howell is still only 24 years old, and an offseason in the O’Connell QB school could help him become a respectable backup quarterback for McCarthy.