The Washington Commanders are trading quarterback Sam Howell to the Seattle Seahawks, as reported by NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero on Thursday. The deal involves a swap of draft picks, with Washington sending Howell, a 2024 fourth-round pick (No. 102 overall), and a 2024 sixth-round pick (No. 179) in exchange for a 2024 third-rounder (No. 78) and a 2024 fifth-rounder (No. 152).

Howell’s future with the Commanders became increasingly uncertain once the team fired his staunch supporter, head coach Ron Rivera, and replaced him with Dan Quinn. General manager Adam Peters then proceeded to sign veteran Marcus Mariota this week, providing the team with an experienced, albeit low-ceiling option before exploring trade options for Howell, with the expectation that Washington will use the second-overall pick in April’s draft to select a quarterback.

Howell departs Washington after spending one season as the team’s starter, a campaign in which he displayed playmaking potential, especially out of structure, but failed to find the consistency necessary to prove himself as a reliable starter in the NFL. As Washington’s season unraveled, Howell became increasingly prone to turnovers, playing more erratically and suffering the consequences.

Rivera had been prepared to bench Howell in favor of veteran backup Jacoby Brissett, but a mid-week injury sidelined Brissett, forcing Howell back into the lineup before he could completely lose the job. By the end of the year, it was clear Rivera would be dismissed, and Howell could follow him out the door.

Howell is heading to an intriguing situation in Seattle, where Geno Smith remains the team’s starter after a season that failed to meet the high expectations he had set for himself with an explosive 2022 showing. With two years left on Smith’s deal, the Seahawks are taking a low-risk gamble on Howell, who could benefit from a year or two spent learning behind a veteran signal-caller.

By Vincent Quezada

Photo courtesy of USA Today sports

Stats/Info courtesy of the NFL