Forget what we have recently said about former Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Howell, it seems. In his first preseason game with his new team, the Minnesota Vikings, the QB was outstanding. He appeared to pick up on the magic that Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell can deliver.
Not so fast. In Minnesota's second preseason game, Howell looked a lot like he did in his one chance for Seattle in Week 15 of last season. Seattle's house was already burning down after Howell entered the game due to a Geno Smith injury, and the backup quarterback only added gasoline to the blaze.
This was perhaps one reason Seahawks general manager John Schneider was good with giving away Howell this offseason, even though Seattle had traded for Howell last offseason. The proverbial writing was already on the wall, though, as Seattle had signed Drew Lock in free agency before trading Sam Howell.
Former Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Howell is awful for the Vikings in preseason Week 2
In preseason Week 2 against the New England Patriots, Howell was 1-of-5 passing for 13 yards and an absolutely terrible interception. The play not only looked like one an NFL quarterback should never attempt, but people playing football in their backyards shouldn't try either.
It was the kind of toss that could easily cost Howell his roster spot. The Vikings are going to start JJ McCarthy, and QB3 is currently veteran Brett Rypien. Rypien hasn't started much in his five-year career, but he might be as good as Howell, and potentially, Minnesota only keeps two quarterbacks on its active roster.
But that's the Vikings' problem. The good part for the Seahawks is that if there was any buyer's remorse over signing Lock, who wasn't very sharp in Seattle's first preseason game, compared to keeping Howell, that feeling should be gone now.
Neither Lock nor Howell should be long-term QB1s, but Lock is the better choice to be an immediate backup should the starter get hurt. He might be more expensive than the former Seattle quarterback, but he is worth the money. Howell is not.
And sure, fans are only watching relatively meaningless preseason games at this point, but Sam Howell's atrocious showing in preseason Week 2 is a level that Drew Lock is probably physically incapable of stooping to. That's important. Lock's floor is much higher than Howell's, and Howell's basement is far lower.
The hope, of course, is that new QB1, Sam Darnold, is terrific in his first season with the Seattle Seahawks. Maybe Lock just watches all season, but at least there is a safe feeling in knowing the team brought back one former backup and let the 2024 backup leave for performance reasons.
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