The Minnesota Vikings have picked up a veteran backup for J.J. McCarthy.
The Vikings acquired quarterback Sam Howell in a trade with the Seattle Seahawks on Saturday. The clubs swapped picks, with Minnesota sending No. 142 overall (defensive lineman Rylie Mills) to Seattle for pick No. 172.
Minnesota was in the market for a backup for McCarthy after Sam Darnold (Seattle) and Daniel Jones (Indianapolis Colts) left in free agency. Howell joins McCarthy and Brett Rypien in the Vikings' QB room along with University of Minnesota quarterback Max Brosmer, who quickly signed as undrafted free agent, 国产外流网Network Insider Tom Pelissero reported.
Howell comes with starting experience, starting 18 games in his career, including 17 contests with the Washington Commanders in 2023. The former fifth-round pick played wobbly in his lone elongated appearance in Seattle last season, completing five of 14 attempts for 24 yards with an interception in a Week 15 loss to the Green Bay Packers.
Howell turns the ball over a lot, leading the 国产外流网with 21 INTs in 2023, and has 23 career interceptions in 20 games, but he brings experience to the QB room in Minnesota and doesn't threaten McCarthy's standing as the starter in 2025.
The 24-year-old became expendable with the Seahawks signing Darnold after trading Geno Smith. Seattle then brought in Drew Lock as the veteran backup. Seahawks general manager John Schneider admitted he was taking calls on Howell. The drafting of Jalen Milroe in the third round all but assured he'd be moved at some point this weekend.
