The Minnesota Vikings might have the best quarterback whisperer, who also happens to be the team's head coach. The Seattle Seahawks certainly hope so in a way. Last season, Sam Darnold became QB1 for the Vikes and turned in a fairly great season.
Now, Darnold is Seattle's new QB1. Head coach Mike Macdonald is hoping what Darnold learned under Minnesota head coach Kevin O'Connell has stuck.
Oddly, Seattle and the Vikings basically did a bit of quarterback switching this offseason. Darnold came to the Seahawks as the starter, and 2024 Seattle backup Sam Howell went to Minnesota in the same role. In the first preseason game for the Vikings, he was pretty good. But will he make the roster?
Former Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Howell could already be on the chopping block with the Vikings
One Vikings insider isn't sure the team is sold on him. According to Minnesota Star Tribune Vikings reporter Ben Goessling, the Vikings might look for a longer-term option to back up presumed starter J.J. McCarthy. McCarthy is in his second season, but was hurt in his rookie year, so, in many ways, 2025 is McCarthy's first season in the league.
Goessling wrote, "I could see them making a deal in the next few weeks. Howell is a (free agent) after this season, so it's not as though he presents a long-term solution behind McCarthy without a new contract. Definitely worth keeping an eye on this one."
One might feel bad for Howell. He started for a full season with the Washington Commanders in 2023, but Washington wanted to go in a different direction. Luckily for them, they chose Jayden Daniels in the 2024 NFL draft, and Daniels was fantastic as a rookie.
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Meanwhile, Howell was traded to Seattle, where he was stuck being a backup to Geno Smith. He got some reps in one game, coming in in a no-win situation with Seattle getting blown out and Howell forced to pass. As Howell was signed through 2025, though, he had no decision on where he played.
It might be best for Sam Howell if Minnesota traded him. He isn't going to play for the Vikings as long as McCarthy stays healthy. Howell is still only 24 years old, but on the verge of being a long-time backup as he hasn't been able to show what he can do other than in one season.
At least, he will have learn some from Kevin O'Connell. And maybe he sticks with the team and becomes the 2025 version of Sam Darnold, should something happen to McCarthy again. The former Seattle Seahawks quarterback appears to be a good guy, so hopefully he will have better luck in the future.
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