After Eagles Acquire Vikings Backup QB Sam Howell, What Does It Mean For Both Teams?

The Philadelphia Eagles have acquired quarterback Sam Howell from the Minnesota Vikings, a strategic move made by General Manager Howie Roseman.

In exchange, the Vikings received a 2026 fifth-round pick and a 2027 seventh-round pick. The Eagles received a 2026 sixth-round pick and Howell. This will be Howell’s second move this offseason, the first being traded from the Seahawks to the Vikings in April.

Howell will be Jalen Hurt‘s main backup quarterback, while Tanner McKee continues recovering from a finger injury during practice last week. There have not been any significant updates on the injury.

In a press conference on Friday, Coach Nick Sirianni said that the team will wait to see if McKee is available for the season opener on September 4. Howell offers the team more stability in case McKee’s injury continues through the regular season.

The reports on the trade came shortly after the Vikings had agreed to sign quarterback and former Eagle Carson Wentz.

In 2022, the Washington Commanders selected Howell in the fifth round of the NFL Draft after a decorated career at the University of North Carolina. He played one game as a rookie in 2022 against the Dallas Cowboys, beating them 26-6 in the regular-season finale.

Howell was the starting quarterback for the Commanders in 2023, playing all 17 games in the season. As Washington’s starter, Howell made 21 touchdowns and an NFL-high 21 interceptions.

He was traded to Seattle last March, backing up Geno Smith, who did not miss any games that season. With little gameplay behind him with the Seahawks, having only played 14 passes, Howell was traded again to the Vikings in April.

Howell is currently in the last year of his four-year rookie contract worth over $4 million.

Final cuts for the 53-man rosters must be made by 4 p.m. on Tuesday. Trades will continue as teams finalize the regular-season rosters.