Sam Howell Reportedly Traded to Vikings from Seahawks After Jalen Milroe Draft Pick

The Minnesota Vikings reportedly acquired quarterback Sam Howell in a trade with the Seattle Seahawks on Saturday.

According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, the Vikings got Howell for a pick swap, as they sent the No. 142 overall pick in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL draft to the Seahawks for Howell and the No. 172 overall pick in the fifth round.

Howell became expendable due to the Seahawks signing quarterback Sam Darnold in free agency and then selecting Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe in the third round of the 2025 NFL draft on Friday night.

All signs point toward Howell serving as the Vikings' backup quarterback since 2024 first-round pick J.J. McCarthy is in line to be the starter in 2025.

Per ESPN's Kevin Seifert, Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah expressed excitement over what the organization now has at quarterback between McCarthy, Howell and Brett Rypien, saying: "We feel great about it. ... We're really excited about the room. If the season started today we'd be fired up about the guys in that room."

Originally a fifth-round pick in the 2022 NFL draft out of North Carolina, Howell started 18 games over two seasons with the Washington Commanders, going 5-13.

In 2023, he started all 17 games, completing 63.4 percent of his passes for 3,946 yards, 21 touchdowns and a league-high 21 interceptions for the 4-13 Commanders.

Washington's selection of Jayden Daniels with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft, coupled with the signing of veteran backup Marcus Mariota, compelled the organization to trade Howell to Seattle as part of a pick swap.

Howell saw limited playing time with the Seahawks last season due to Geno Smith starting all 17 games. In two appearances, Howell went 5-of-14 for 24 yards with no touchdowns and one interception.

Seattle traded Smith to the Las Vegas Raiders this offseason and signed Darnold, keeping Howell in a backup role.

However, when the Seahawks used the No. 92 overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft on Milroe, there was no longer a place for Howell on the roster.

Howell is a good fit in Minnesota since he has ample starting experience while still being a young quarterback with upside at only 24 years old.

Darnold was the Vikings' starter last year after McCarthy was ruled out for the entire season due to a knee injury. Darnold signing with the Seahawks paved the way for McCarthy to become the starter this year, though, after going 10th overall in last year's draft.

There was some thought that the Vikings might sign or acquire an established veteran to compete for the starting job with McCarthy, such as Aaron Rodgers, but Howell doesn't seem to fit into that category.

In all likelihood, Howell will be cast clearly as the backup during training camp and the preseason unless McCarthy struggles mightily.