NFL Rumors: Seahawks 'High' on QB Sam Howell 'For a While' Before Commanders Trade

After missing out on him in the 2022 NFL draft, the Seattle Seahawks were finally able to get Sam Howell into their building.

Per The Athletic's Jeff Howe, the Seahawks "have been high on Howell for a while" prior to acquiring him from the Washington Commanders this week.

The Seahawks traded a third- and fifth-round pick in the 2024 NFL draft to the Commanders for Howell, a fourth- and sixth-round selection this year.

Howell told reporters during his introductory press conference on Friday he "spent a lot of time with" then-Seahawks quarterbacks coach Dave Canales on his visit with the team leading up to the draft two years ago.

"I thought this was a team I might come to do, but I didn't. But I'm here now, and I'm excited to be here and excited to be a Seahawk," Howell said.

Howe noted the Seahawks have been trying to add more youth at the quarterback position for the past year, even after they signed Geno Smith to a three-year contract last offseason.

General manager John Schneider told the Wyman and Bob Show on 710 Seattle Sports that Smith "is the guy" for the Seahawks in 2024, with Howell serving as the backup.

Schneider expressed optimism about Howell's long-term potential by noting he is younger than 2024 draft prospect Bo Nix.

Howell was a fifth-round pick by Washington in the 2022 draft. He showed some promise as the team's starter last season, throwing for 3,946 yards and 21 touchdowns with a 63.4 completion percentage.

There are certainly some areas of Howell's game that need to be cleaned up. He led all quarterbacks in interceptions (21) and sacks (65). The 23-year-old had a stretch from Weeks 4-10 last season in which he threw for 2,112 yards, 14 touchdowns and completed 66.8 percent of his attempts.

The Seahawks will attempt to harness that part of Howell's game, while working to minimize the turnovers and sacks so they can potentially have Smith's successor in place if they want to move on after the 2024 season.