The Seattle Seahawks are open to trading quarterback Sam Howell. This likely comes as a shock to no one, after the team signed two quarterbacks this offseason following the trade of Geno Smith. One is Sam Darnold, who is expected to be the starter. The presumed backup is recently acquired Drew Lock. Howell would be no better than QB3.
Seattle is unlikely to keep three quarterbacks on its roster as the team traditionally does not. Howell isn't going to fall to the practice squad. Plus, the Seahawks are probably going to keep Jaren Hall as the quarterback there.
Howell probably won't bring much back in a trade, other than maybe a late-round draft pick. Even that would be a better value than releasing him outright. The quarterback has no guaranteed money on his contract in 2025, so if Seattle does release him, no money would be lost.
Three teams that might be interested in trading for Seahawks quarterback Sam Howell
But which teams might be players to trade for Howell? Besides the Commanders, who are familiar with Howell since he spent the two seasons before joining the Seahawks in Washington, the three teams that follow might be interested for various reasons.
New Orleans Saints
The Saints' quarterback situation is in flux. Starter Derek Carr is a decent quarterback and is turnover-averse. His contract makes him impossible to release this offseason, but next offseason, the Saints could save $50 million by parting ways with him. Howell would be a solid backup to Carr in 2025, but the team may also see him as an option beyond that.
For years, the Saints have been stuck in an awful cap situation. One of the only ways to truly get better and stay that way is to do a rebuild. Howell would be an inexpensive option beginning in 2026, and maybe he plays as he did in 2023. New Orleans wouldn't be going to the playoffs, probably, but they likely won't do that with Carr, either.
Chicago Bears
Caleb Williams is entrenched as Chicago's QB1, and Howell would not be able to sniff becoming the starter unless something happens to Williams. Howell would still be a better option to backup than anyone else the Bears have on their roster. His starting experience with the Commanders in 2023 should be enticing enough to trade for.
The Bears have a terrible offensive line, but Howell would understand somewhat how to play behind that. His Commanders' O-line in 2023 was awful, and the Seahawks' was no better last year. Sure, no one wants a quarterback whose most valuable experience is dealing with constant pressure, but it would be helpful with Chicago.
New England Patriots
This is likely one of the more obvious destinations because the Patriots recently traded backup Joe Milton to the Dallas Cowboys, and Howell's friendship with Pats starter Drake Maye. Both Howell and Maye went to North Carolina, and they continue to do offseason workouts together. Howell would have no issues playing backup to Maye.
Plus, New England's system should work better for Howell than the Seahawks' new system with Klint Kubiak. Howell is more of a gunslinger, and that is not optimal in Kubiak's controlled system.