Vikings Finally Get Their QB2

It has been one of the most polarizing items in the Minnesota Vikings’ offseason. The franchise saw three passers depart in free agency, including Pro Bowler Sam Darnold, three-year backup Nick Mullens, and late-year acquisition Daniel Jones.

Vikings Finally Get Their QB2

It had been just J.J. McCarthy and Brett Rypien since the start of free agency. McCarthy, obviously, is the starter, but Rypien would be a little stretch as the primary backup.

In the draft, Minnesota’s front office made a move, but not for a rookie. Instead, they swapped draft picks with the Seahawks, bringing Sam Howell to the Twin Cities along the way.

Ian Rapoport noted on social media, “The Vikings are trading for QB Sam Howell, as the Seahawks and MIN swaps picks 142 and 172.”

The Vikings confirmed the move.

Seattle took Notre Dame’s defensive tackle Rylie Mills with their brand-new pick.

Minnesota, meanwhile, drops only 30 spots but gets a new arm.

Howell was involved in a trade last year, moving from Landover, Maryland, to Seattle to back up Geno Smith. Washington’s new regime wasn’t attached to the former fifth-rounder, so they sent him away to make room for Jayden Daniels and a more natural replacement in Marcus Mariota.

In Seattle, he played in a couple of games, but it wasn’t too great when he was given the chance due to Smith’s injury issues. This offseason, the Seahawks have been busy at the position, bringing over Darnold from the Vikings as well as backup Drew Lock.

On Friday, in the third round, they acquired Jalen Milroe. The Alabama signal-caller is a phenomenal athlete, but not yet a good thrower of the ball. He will develop behind the scenes while Darnold is starting.

That makes three players, in addition to practice squad hopeful and ex-Viking, Jaren Hall. Howell was the obvious odd-man out and is now on the move. The Vikings pulled the trigger and filled their QB2 void.

Howell is an ideal solution for various reasons.

He brings experience as he has started 17 games in his career. Furthermore, he is not a real threat to unseat McCarthy and create any noise. A guy like Joe Flacco or even Daniel Jones, perhaps, could’ve created some buzz if the first-time starter struggled for a week or two.

Another wrinkle? Howell brings many qualities Kevin O’Connell loves. The Vikings traded for Mullens in the 2022 offseason, and just like the veteran, Howell isn’t afraid to attack tight windows, hence the league lead in interceptions in 2023.

In 20 career appearances (17 starts), Howell has registered 4,139 passing yards, 22 passing scores, and 23 interceptions. On the ground, he has accumulated another 300 yards and six touchdowns.

Similarly to Mullens in the last few years, if he had to start a game or two in the upcoming season, the Vikings are likely still in the mix to succeed because he is not afraid to make plays and brings some talent to the mix.

All the other rumors, like Kirk Cousins, Aaron Rodgers, Ryan Tannehill, and Carson Wentz, can now safely be put aside.

Howell is 24 years old and can now learn from Kevin O’Connell to rehab his career. He is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent next offseason, and spending a season with the QB whisperer has gotten some passers a bag.

Editor’s Note: Information from PFF, Over The Cap, and Pro Football Reference helped with this article.