Commanders trade Sam Howell to Seahawks

The Washington Commanders made a noteworthy trade on Thursday, sending quarterback Sam Howell to the Seattle Seahawks.

Howell, who the Commanders drafted in 2022, goes to Seattle likely to be Geno Smith’s backup. The trade ends his short tenure in Washington, suggesting the team will indeed take a quarterback in this year’s NFL Draft.

Draft picks were involved in the swap. Seattle will send its third and fifth-round picks, No. 78 and No. 152, to Washington in exchange for Howell, a fourth-rounder and a sixth-rounder, picks No. 102 and 179. ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter reported the terms of the deal.

“Another QB trade: Commanders are sending last year’s starter Sam Howell to the Seahawks in a pick swap,” Schefter said. Schefter posted the news on X, the website formerly known as Twitter.

Another QB trade: Commanders are sending last year’s starter Sam Howell to the Seahawks in a pick swap, per sources.

Trade:
🏈Seahawks receive Howell, a fourth-round pick (No. 102), a sixth (No. 179).

🏈Commanders receive a third (No. 78) and a fifth (No. 152). pic.twitter.com/jCEivnjg9D

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 14, 2024

This deal finalizes Howell’s two-year run in D.C. The former All-ACC second-team selection didn’t really work out with the Commanders. While he had gaudier passing numbers under offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy, the team is clearly intent on hitting the reset button. Given that they have the second overall pick, it only makes sense.

Howell will go be the backup quarterback to Geno Smith now. It’s an interesting move also because it’s one less place for the Chicago Bears to trade Justin Fields. The Bears will need to send him somewhere, at some point, assuming the team still wants to draft Caleb Williams. Well, we know one more place that it won’t be now.

[Adam Schefter]