PHILADELPHIA — The last few days have been a whirlwind for new Eagles quarterback Sam Howell.
On Sunday morning, Howell was informed by the Minnesota Vikings that he was being traded. On Sunday night, he landed in Philadelphia and checked into a hotel. Ever since, Howell has been preparing for the possibility of playing next week for the reigning Super Bowl champs.
That’s the reality of the Eagles’ QB situation. Tanner McKee is dealing with a fractured thumb and might miss time. Sixth-round rookie Kyle McCord, after a so-so summer, was waived and later signed to the practice squad.
If Jalen Hurts gets injured in next Thursday’s season opener against the Dallas Cowboys and McKee can’t play, Howell would be the next man up.
“I’ll be ready to go,” Howell said Wednesday. “Whatever they ask me to do.”
It’s a difficult spot to be in for Howell. But fortunately for Nick Sirianni and the Eagles, the 24-year-old quarterback out of North Carolina is a quick study.
This will be the fifth offense Howell has learned in four years as an NFL player. The Commanders’ 2022 fifth-round pick learned Scott Turner’s playbook as a rookie, then Eric Bienemy’s system when he was Washington’s starter in 2023. Howell spent 2024 as the Seahawks’ backup before joining the Vikings in April.
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Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Howell (8) passes under pressure from New England Patriots linebacker K'Lavon Chaisson (44) during the first half of a preseason NFL football game Saturday, Aug. 16, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)AP
Now, this is an entirely new level of last-minute cramming. But Howell acknowledged that he’s used to learning new things and learning them fast.
It helps that Howell has some familiarity with the Eagles, having played against them for two years in the NFC East. It helps that former Commanders wideout Jahan Dotson is in the building; Dotson and Howell are friends after a pair of seasons together in Washington.
It also helps that Howell is familiar with Sirianni and Howie Roseman, who scouted the former North Carolina star quarterback during the 2022 pre-draft process. Roseman talked on Tuesday about knowing Howell “really well.”
Then, of course, there’s the added motivation of being prepared for his next time to shine, should it come. Howell, after throwing for 3,946 yards, 21 touchdowns and 21 interceptions with Washington in 2023, “would love to get the opportunity to start again” in the NFL.
Howell understands that he “had to take a step back” after Washington traded him to Seattle (and later drafted rookie sensation Jayden Daniels). He wants to become a better player, and learning from Hurts — “a Super Bowl-winning quarterback,” Howell pointed out — will help.
But if Hurts goes down next Thursday night and McKee is unavailable, learning time will be over for Howell. He knows that’s the nature of the NFL — and he believes he’ll be ready if needed.
“I have a lot of respect for this organization and how Howie and Nick do things here,” Howell said. “I know how good this team is. I know how good this organization is. So I’m happy to be here and trying to help in any way I can.”
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