Deal for Howell solves backup QB

VIKINGS SPOTLIGHT

Vikings trade back in fifth round with Seattle, acquire vet

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Howell looks to pass the ball during a game against the Green Bay Packers in Seattle on Dec. 15. The Vikings acquired Howell in a trade Saturday to serve as J.J. McCarthy’s backup at quarterback. STEPHEN BRASHEAR — ASSOCIATED PRESS

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By Dane Mizutani

dmizutani@pioneerpress.com

The mystery of the backup quarterback appears to have finally been solved.

After carefully parsing through their options over the past month or so, the Vikings finally made a move on Saturday afternoon, acquiring Sam Howell in a trade with the Seattle Seahawks. It was a small price to pay for Howell as the Vikings only had to move back from No. 142 (fifth round) overall to No. 172 (fifth round) to get the deal done.

Asked about the process that led to the Vikings making the move, Kwesi Adofo-Mensah noted how they actually did some work on Howell ahead of the 2022 NFL draft. Not surprisingly, Kevin O’Connell has been following along with how Howell has done from afar ever since.

“He’s somebody that a lot of people in this building had appreciation for,” Adofo-Mensah said. “When the opportunity arose, we decided to add him, and we’re excited about it.”

Though no official announcement will be made at any point in the near future, the Vikings are now expected to head into next season with J.J. McCarthy as their starting quarterback and Howell as their backup. Aside from McCarthy and Howell, the Vikings also have Brett Rypien on the roster.

“We feel great about it,” Adofo-Mensah said. “We’re fired up about the guys in that room.”

Later, Minnesota added former Gophers quarterback Max Brosmer as an undrafted free agent. He will reportedly get a deal with $250,000 guaranteed.

Howell was available with the Seahawks signing Sam Darnold in free agency and drafting Jalen Milroe.

That said, Howell brings some valuable experience to the position, especially considering he served as the starting quarterback for the Washington Commanders before they selected Jayden Daniels with the No. 2 pick in last year’s draft.

Howell started all 17 games for Washington in 2023, completing 63.4% of his league-high 612 passes for 3,946 yards, 21 touchdowns and a league-high 21 interceptions.

Most recently, Howell served as the backup quarterback for the Seahawks, which means he is familiar with the role he will likely be asked to fill with the Vikings. He got into just two games as Geno Smith’s backup last season and only threw 14 passes, completing five.

“Just another guy to acquire in his quarterback journey now having been at a couple of spots,” O’Connell said during a brief appearance on NFL Network. “We still think that there’s a lot in Sam’s game to develop, and also see where he can take it within our system, within our quarterback development plan here in Minnesota.”

Briefly

The other 18 undrafted free agents the Vikings signed (in alphabetical oder) included BYU edge rusher Tyler Batty, Texas receiver Silas Bolden, Kansas offensive lineman Logan Brown, Georgia edge rusher Chaz Chambliss, Auburn punter Oscar Chapman, North Carolina State offensive lineman Zeke Correll, Tulane receiver Dontae Fleming, Kansas State cornerback Keenan Garber, Wisconsin offensive lineman Joe Huber, Auburn linebacker Austin Keys, Auburn receiver Robert Lewis, Auburn linebacker Dorian Mausi, North Carolina tight end Bryson Nesbit, Miami safety Mishael Powell, Jacksonville State running back Tre Stewart, Utah cornerback Zemaiah Vaughn, Middle Tennessee State defensive lineman Alex Williams, and Georgia tight end Ben Yurosek.