Vikings Eye Sam Howell as Potential Backup Option Amid Dwindling QB Market
The Minnesota Vikings have largely stood by as the free-agent quarterback market has thinned out.
On Friday, April 12, two more possible backup candidates slipped away—Joe Flacco re-signed with the Cleveland Browns, while Drew Lock returned to the Seattle Seahawks. With fewer viable options remaining, the Vikings may need to explore trade possibilities in order to secure a capable backup for rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy.
Interestingly, Lock’s return to Seattle casts uncertainty over the future of fellow quarterback Sam Howell. As reported by Gregg Bell of the Tacoma News Tribune, Howell’s spot on the roster is now in question. The Seahawks could be open to moving on from him, especially given the price they paid in a recent trade with Washington—essentially dropping 24 spots in the draft to acquire him.
Howell, a former fifth-round pick by the Commanders, showed flashes of potential but was put in tough situations. In 2023, he was thrown into a dysfunctional environment with no real support system, leading the league in pass attempts (612), sacks (65), and interceptions (21). In limited action for Seattle, he struggled again, getting sacked four times and completing only five passes on 19 dropbacks against the Packers.
Despite his rocky trajectory, Howell is still just 25 and has a track record of strong college production. He shares the single-season passing touchdown record at North Carolina with Drake Maye and was once considered a Day 2 talent by several draft analysts, including NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein.
If the Vikings were to acquire him, Howell could undergo a career reset similar to what Sam Darnold experienced—developing behind the scenes in a quarterback-friendly system under head coach Kevin O’Connell. Howell’s aggressive play style and arm talent could make him a strong developmental option behind McCarthy.
The Vikings’ quarterback depth remains thin, and Howell could be a low-cost, high-upside investment. With proper coaching and time to refine his footwork and decision-making, he could eventually emerge as a reliable backup—offering insurance if McCarthy were to miss time and possibly contributing to a playoff push if needed.
