The Minnesota Vikings have remained passive as the free-agent quarterback market continues to dry up. On Friday, April 12, two more possible additions were taken off the board: Joe Flacco re-signed with the Cleveland Browns, and Drew Lock returned to the Seattle Seahawks. With fewer and fewer viable options left, the Vikings are running out of candidates who could step in and keep the team afloat should anything happen to rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy.
However, Lock’s return to Seattle has stirred speculation around another quarterback who may soon become available via trade: Sam Howell. If Minnesota chooses to pursue him, Howell could be a candidate for the kind of quarterback “rehab” the Vikings provided Sam Darnold—who later earned a solid contract from Seattle.
According to Gregg Bell of the Tacoma News Tribune, Lock’s signing raises serious doubts about Howell’s future with the Seahawks. Last season, Howell didn’t impress in limited relief of Geno Smith, taking four sacks and completing just five passes in 19 dropbacks during a rough outing against the Packers.
His earlier struggles in Washington weren’t entirely his fault, either. The franchise was in turmoil amid an ownership change and drafted Jayden Daniels with the No. 2 overall pick this year, essentially closing the door on Howell’s future there.
Unlike Brock Purdy, who thrived on a well-built 49ers team, Howell—drafted in the fifth round—was thrown into a dysfunctional Commanders squad with little support. Washington’s league-worst defense forced Howell into high-volume passing situations; he led the NFL in pass attempts (612), sacks taken (65), and interceptions (21). It was a perfect storm for a young QB to fail.
Still, the former North Carolina standout has promise. Howell, tied with Drake Maye for the most single-season passing touchdowns in Tar Heels history, plays with a gunslinger mentality—something Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell appreciated in former backup Nick Mullens.
Some scouts, including NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein, graded Howell as a second-round talent in his draft year. Though his footwork and timing need refinement, the Vikings’ quarterback-friendly system could help him reset and grow.
The Seahawks gave up multiple picks for Howell—moving back 24 spots in the third round in the process—which now looks like a questionable move. With Lock back in the fold, Seattle may be eager to recoup value by dealing Howell.
The Vikings still haven’t found their QB2, and options are dwindling. But Howell could be a strong fit for O’Connell’s developmental system. At just 25 years old heading into the 2025 season, he has time to grow. While Darnold may have had a higher physical ceiling coming out of college, Howell has the tools to fall somewhere between Darnold and Mullens—making him a potentially ideal backup for McCarthy, and a capable fill-in if needed.
Leave a Reply