

The Minnesota Vikings have acquired a quarterback during the 2025 NFL Draft, trading pick No. 142 overall to the Seattle Seahawks in exchange for Sam Howell and the No. 172 pick.
After spending two seasons with the Washington Commanders — one of which saw him start all 17 games and lead the league in pass attempts — Howell spent 2024 as a backup quarterback with the Seahawks. He appeared in just two games, going 5-for-14 for 24 yards and an interception. Over his three-year career, Howell has thrown for 4,139 yards, 22 touchdowns and 23 interceptions on 62.6 completion percentage, adding 300 rushing yards and six touchdowns on the ground.
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Howell now joins a quarterback room led by 2024 10th overall pick rookie J.J. McCarthy, who missed the entirety of the 2024 season with a knee injury. Minnesota also has Brett Rypien on the roster. Earlier this offseason, the Vikings were considered a potential landing spot for veteran Aaron Rodgers. Rodgers and Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell had “a lot of conversations” over the course of the offseaosn, according to Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah.
Why did the Vikings make this move?
They’ve needed to round out their quarterback room for weeks. J.J. McCarthy is in line to be the starter, and Minnesota had Brett Rypien for depth, but the Vikings needed another player capable of stepping in. That’s what Sam Howell provides. He’s started 18 games in the NFL. He is still only 24 years old. One of his best friends, Drake Maye, is close with current Vikings quarterbacks coach Josh McCown. Howell won’t threaten McCarthy’s clear path at starting. His youth also offers some upside for development, which head coach Kevin O’Connell is always seeking. His contract also benefits Minnesota. Howell is only owed $1.1 million for 2025, far less money than would have been required to add a veteran like Ryan Tannehill. For now, it appears the Vikings have more than enough faith that McCarthy will progress throughout the summer and into the fall and be ready to go for training camp. — Alec Lewis, Vikings beat writer
Does this end the Aaron Rodgers conversation in Minnesota?
Almost certainly. At this point, only two happenings would revive that conversation: Rodgers not signing with the Pittsburgh Steelers, and McCarthy suffering a setback. O’Connell and Rodgers spoke multiple times when the free-agent period began. Rodgers thought highly of the Vikings’ situation, and O’Connell’s longtime relationship with Rodgers spurred discussions. Ultimately, Minnesota opted against signing Rodgers at that specific juncture. Rodgers has been free to sign with Pittsburgh for weeks and has not done so. He could choose to wait until the fall and present as a break-glass-in-case-of-emergency option for any teams needing a veteran on a whim. This Howell move now, though, ends any of the present discussion for other candidates as well, including former Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins who had interest in returning to Minnesota even for a backup opportunity. — Lewis
(Photo: Jane Gershovich / Getty Images)
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