The Seattle Seahawks are exploring trade possibilities for quarterback Sam Howell, acquired just over a year ago from the Washington Commanders. Teams have reportedly inquired about acquiring the signal-caller as the 2025 NFL Draft approaches.
The potential move follows a busy offseason for the Seahawks QB room. The team traded its previous starter, Geno Smith, to the Raiders earlier this year. Seattle then signed free agents Sam Darnold and Drew Lock, creating a crowded depth chart that includes Jaren Hall.
Head coach Mike Macdonald and General Manager John Schneider now have several options. While Schneider has mentioned that Howell could compete with Lock for the primary backup role behind Darnold, market interest in Howell could prompt a decision before or during draft weekend.
Adding Lock, who served as Geno Smith's former backup, seemed to open the door for Howell's potential departure. The team previously tended to keep only two quarterbacks on the active roster, though they carried three by the end of last season.
The Seahawks initially invested draft capital to acquire Howell, sending third- and fifth-round picks to Washington in exchange for Howell and picks in the fourth and sixth rounds. Reports at the time indicated Seattle outbid multiple other teams for his services.
Despite the initial investment and having one year left on an inexpensive rookie contract, Howell saw limited action for Seattle last season. He completed five of 14 passes for 24 yards with one interception and took four sacks in his two appearances, a brief look that may have influenced the team's subsequent moves.
One potential destination mentioned for the former starting quarterback is the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Steelers' quarterback situation remains fluid, with Mason Rudolph and Skylar Thompson currently on the roster while the team awaits a decision from Aaron Rodgers on his future.
Howell's starting experience and relatively low cost could make him an attractive target for a team like Pittsburgh looking to add depth or competition at the position without a significant investment. His trade value is likely modest, potentially a late Day 3 pick, given he did not start any games last season.
According to Adam Schefter, should the Seahawks trade the seahawks qb this weekend, "it would open up the possibility of drafting just the third quarterback during Schneider's tenure."
