Howell has started 18 NFL games and has played in 20. He has thrown 22 touchdown passes — and 23 interceptions.
He has talent. He’s mobile. Before Saturday, Vikings fans could have been excused for making the obvious comparison between Howell and Case Keenum, another backup with active feet and the ability to make big plays.
Saturday, Howell looked like the version of Keenum who imploded in the NFC Championship game in Philadelphia.
Brett Rypien was better than Howell on Saturday, but hardly impressive. Max Brosmer looked like the most poised and accurate of the three backups, and that in itself is a problem. Having a rookie who played only one year of major college football serve as a backup to a virtual rookie quarterback would not be wise.
Kirk Cousins would likely be too expensive, in terms of draft capital and salary. At this point, I’d rather have someone like Kenny Pickett, who seems lost in the shuffle of potential starting quarterbacks in the Browns’ camp, especially with Shedeur Sanders looking like he could take over the starting job at some point this season.
But Pickett is dealing with a hamstring injury.