Struggling Quarterback Faces Pressure in a Make-or-Break Preseason
Sam Howell’s career trajectory has taken another unexpected turn, as the young quarterback now finds himself fighting for his spot on the Minnesota Vikings’ roster. After a whirlwind journey that saw him traded from the Washington Commanders to the Seattle Seahawks, and then to the Vikings in April 2025, Howell’s time in Minnesota has been anything but smooth. Reports from Vikings training camp suggest he has been struggling mightily, leading to speculation that the team may already be looking for other options for the backup quarterback role behind rookie starter J.J. McCarthy. With the preseason on the horizon, Howell faces immense pressure to reverse his recent performance and prove he belongs in the NFL.
A Winding Road to Minnesota
Howell’s arrival in Minnesota was part of a larger plan by the Vikings to build a new quarterback room. After starting all 17 games for the Commanders in 2023, a season marked by both flashes of brilliance and a league-leading 21 interceptions and 65 sacks, he was traded to the Seahawks. His time in Seattle was brief and he saw minimal action, throwing only 14 passes in two games during the 2024 season before being traded again to Minnesota. The Vikings acquired him in a draft-day trade, sending a fifth-round pick to Seattle for Howell and a later pick. At the time, he was expected to serve as a veteran presence behind the team’s top rookie draft pick, J.J. McCarthy.
Pressure Mounts as Performance Falters
Unfortunately for Howell, his performance in training camp has not lived up to expectations. NFL analysts and reporters covering the team have been blunt in their assessments, noting a lack of consistency and accuracy. One report from a Vikings insider even suggested that Howell was temporarily benched during a practice session in favor of third-string quarterback Brett Rypien after throwing a particularly poor interception. With his preseason opener looming, Howell is running out of time to show head coach Kevin O’Connell and the coaching staff that he can grasp the offense and be a reliable backup. As this is the final year of his rookie contract, the stakes couldn’t be higher. A strong showing in the coming weeks is crucial for Howell to salvage his career and secure a place on an NFL roster, or he risks falling into irrelevance just a few years after being a full-time starter.
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