The colorful carousel of backup quarterbacks is in motion. Sam Howell has a new team, and Carson Wentz is back in the NFL. Just a week and a half before the start of the regular season, two teams, the Minnesota Vikings and Philadelphia Eagles, have shuffled their quarterback rooms.
Why Make a Trade This Close to the NFL Regular Season?
Howell, 24, was acquired by the Vikings in a trade with the Seattle Seahawks in April. They hoped he could be an experienced backup behind second-year quarterback J.J. McCarthy. However, he had an inconsistent training camp. He completed 12 of 18 passes for 118 yards but had no touchdowns and one interception across three preseason games.
While Howell never fully grasped the Vikings’ offense, the coaching staff took a shine to undrafted rookie Max Brosmer in training camp. However, they wanted an experienced quarterback in the No. 2 position. After trading Howell, the Vikings signed Carson Wentz to replace him as the primary backup.
NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero broke the story this morning. Pelissero posts, “Trade! The #Vikings are sending QB Sam Howell to the #Eagles, sources tell me and @RapSheet. Minnesota gets a 2026 5th-round pick and a 2027 7th. Philadelphia gets a 2026 6th and Howell, an experienced backup for Jalen Hurts while Tanner McKee deals with an injury.”
Trade! The #Vikings are sending QB Sam Howell to the #Eagles, sources tell me and @RapSheet.
Minnesota gets a 2026 5th-round pick and a 2027 7th. Philadelphia gets a 2026 6th and Howell, an experienced backup for Jalen Hurts while Tanner McKee deals with an injury. pic.twitter.com/RVRam0CmbH
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) August 24, 2025
McKee, originally projected to be Jalen Hurts’ backup, is out with an injured finger, and it’s unclear when he will return. Howell will slot in as the primary backup.
Rookie Kyle McCord played all of the Eagles’ preseason finale against the New York Jets. He completed 15 of 35 passes for 136 passing yards with no touchdowns and one interception for a passer rating 42.1.
However, by trading for Howell, they are signaling that he’s not ready for backup duty. McCord will likely be the Eagles’ third-string quarterback.
Read More: 2025 NFL Backup QB Rankings Include Kirk Cousins, Jimmy Garoppolo, and Joe Milton III
Howell was originally the Washington Commanders’ fifth-round draft choice in 2022 out of the University of North Carolina. He was the Commanders’ starting quarterback in 2023 and threw for 3,946 yards, 21 touchdowns, and an NFL-high 21 interceptions.
He has some history against the Eagles. Two of his best passing performances were against them in 2023. Howell passed for 290 yards and a touchdown in a 34-31 overtime win in their first meeting. In his second game against Philly, he threw for 397 yards and four touchdowns in a 38-31 victory.
SAM HOWELL IS AN EAGLE
QB FACTORY pic.twitter.com/LpB0jEkvvn
— Philly Sports Sufferer (@mccrystal_alex) August 24, 2025
Howell was traded to Seattle after the Commanders acquired Jaylen Hurts. Howell was Geno Smith’s backup in Seattle before being swapped for draft picks to the Vikings. The Eagles are Howell’s fifth team in what is to be four seasons in the NFL.
