Vikings in Trade Grapevine for Quarterback
The Minnesota Vikings employ two quarterbacks with the NFL draft two days away: J.J. McCarthy and Brett Rypien.
Vikings in Trade Grapevine for Quarterback
The team typically has at least three quarterbacks on the depth chart at this spot on the calendar, sometimes four.
And if the national trade grapevine can be believed, the Vikings are in the mix to obtain Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Howell.
CBS Sports Names Vikings a Trade Destination for Sam Howell
The Seahawks signed Drew Lock last week, which prompted most interested onlookers to think, “That’s the end of Sam Howell in Seattle.”
The reasoning is rational — Howell is a bonafide QB2, but so is Lock. Lock may be a bit better and more trustworthy than Howell. So, a junior rumor mill for Howell’s services grew legs, and the Vikings evidently found their way into the Howell sweepstakes.
CBS Sports‘ Jared Dubin and Tyler Sullivan sized up landing spots for Howell, and for Minnesota, they wrote: “The Vikes have expressed interest in finding a veteran backup for J.J. McCarthy. Howell may or may not qualify as a veteran, heading into his fourth NFL season. But the only other quarterback behind McCarthy at the moment is Brett Rypien, and Howell probably qualifies as an upgrade there.”
The pair also name-dropped the Pittsburgh Steelers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers as destinations for a Howell trade.
What Vikings GM Said about Adding Another QB
As fans have wondered, “What’s the deal?” on Minnesota’s reluctance to sign a backup quarterback, general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah recently broke down the QB2 stakes.
“You know, it hasn’t only been about the comp pick situation, but we are on the lookout for that. The comp pick thing is always a thing, where last year, we brought in Greenard, forfeited a comp pick. It’s an opportunity cost of signing somebody. It’s not the end-all be-all,” he told reporters.
“When you find a 27-year-old pass rusher who fits your team and skill sets, should you want you go do it? Because you ask yourself, what would I rather have? And the answer sometimes is, I would rather have that really good player. Other times, the answer is something different.”
Most expect a QB2 to join the roster via draft trade or after the event, when a new quarterback won’t compromise the 2026 compensatory draft pick formula.
“But quarterback-wise, we’re going to focus on just as my staff always does best opportunities there. So we’re not going to rush it either way, but we’re always mindful of it,” Adofo-Mensah added.
Head coach Kevin O’Connell also stated on Monday that his team will add another passer before too long.
National Media Confirms Howell Trade Sweepstakes
When Lock signed in Seattle, it didn’t take long for Howell theories to emerge. Reuters wrote this week: “The Seattle Seahawks have received calls about a potential trade for quarterback Sam Howell. Multiple outlets reported the trade inquiries Monday and Seahawks general manager John Schnieder confirmed they had taken place to The Athletic, but he declined to describe the organization as being ‘open’ to trading the signal-caller.”
The Seahawks general manager said about Howell, “I don’t know; we’re not there yet.”
He could’ve easily swatted away trade rumors, but he didn’t do that.
Long story short, Howell will likely be traded soon.
The Trade Price for Vikings?
Howell tabulated nearly 4,000 passing yards and 26 total touchdowns as the Washington Commanders’ starter in 2023. He struggled in Seattle, but before that, he showed flashes of potential in Washington, though he held the ball in the pocket too long.
Because Howell performed somewhat poorly in Seattle, the Vikings can probably obtain his QB2 services for a conditional 6th-Round pick or so. The team has just four draft picks later this week, so the 2026 basket might be an option for trade capital.
But Howell should cost no more than a 6th-Rounder.
If Not Howell, Then Who?
The Vikings can sign a handful of passers from free agency after the draft: Carson Wentz, Ryan Tannehill, Mike White, or Tyler Huntley. Those men could be an upgrade over Rypien, the current QB2.
Otherwise, non-Howell trade targets might include Tennessee Titans quarterback Will Levis or Aidan O’Connell — no relation — from the Las Vegas Raiders.
Like Howell, neither man would be too expensive via trade.
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