Sam Howell, Drew Lock Expected To Compete For Backup Job
Seattle Seahawks general manager John Schneider said that signing quarterback Drew Lock in free agency "doesn't preclude" taking a signal-caller in next week's NFL draft. Schneider also said that he expects a competition for the backup job this summer between Lock and Sam Howell. "Really excited to have all four of those guys but in particular to have Sam Howell and Drew kind of competing for that second spot is a pretty good deal for us," Schneider said. The GM also said Seattle could dress three QBs in 2025, which is something the team has rarely done. Sam Darnold will obviously be the starter after a career year in 2024 with the Minnesota Vikings. Howell ended up playing just 25 snaps behind Geno Smith last year in Seattle, going 14-for-24 with an interception. Both Howell and Lock have proven to be turnover-prone in their time in the NFL. Lock was Smith's backup in Seattle in 2023.
Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald said the team doesn't plan on playing backup quarterback Sam Howell in their Week 18 regular-season finale on Sunday against the division-rival Los Angeles Rams. The Seahawks were eliminated from postseason contention in Week 17, but it sounds as though they plan to play all of their starters this weekend to close out the season. Howell has played only 25 offensive snaps in his first year in Seattle and didn't look particularly confident in the rare instances he got into a game this year. Despite dealing with a nagging knee injury of late, the 34-year-old Geno Smith should start and play all of the Week 18 game, lining him up as a QB1 option this week with so many starters across the league being rested in the season finale. Smith enters Week 18 as the QB13 in overall fantasy points with 4,097 passing yards, 17 TDs and 15 interceptions in 16 games.
Seattle Seahawks backup quarterback Sam Howell did not do much to inspire confidence when called upon in Week 15. Howell replaced Geno Smith (knee) in the second half of Seattle's loss to the Green Bay Packers. He completed 5/14 passes for 24 yards and an interception. His QBR of 3.3 was about as low as you can go. Howell was turnover-prone with the Commanders in 2023 but his yardage totals were solid. To see him struggle in a way that suggests substantial regression in 2024 is concerning. With fantasy managers relying on Seattle's running backs and wide receivers in the fantasy playoffs, Howell's performance does not inspire much confidence should Smith miss time. Smith's injury severity is unknown so it is too early to tell what will happen. If Smith does need to miss time, at least Howell will have a whole week to prepare for Seattle's final home game against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 16.
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Howell went 11-for-14 for 153 yards and a touchdown in Saturday's loss to the Tennessee Titans. Howell looked shaky early on as the Titans blitzed aggressively out of the gate resulting in back-to-back three-and-outs. Howell actually fumbled while being sacked on the second drive but had the good fortune that a teammate was in position to fall on the ball. Howell recovered well on the team's third possession resulting in a touchdown to Easop Winston Jr. This was Howell's second start in as many preseason games for the Seahawks. Geno Smith (hip/knee) returned to practice last week and carried no designation coming into Saturday but ultimately sat. Howell will be backing up Smith to start the season but it was an encouraging effort after the early miscues.
Quarterback Sam Howell enjoyed a win in his debut with the Seahawks on Saturday. Howell went 16-for-27 for 130 yards and a touchdown as a passer in Seattle's 16-3 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers. He also gained 17 yards on four rushes. The Chargers' aggressive pass rush kept pressure on Howell throughout the game resulting in several throwaways and broken plays. Howell's first score in a Seahawk uniform was a 13-yard touchdown pass to tight end Brady Russell early in the second quarter. The former Washington Commander came to Seattle via trade in the offseason to back up veteran Geno Smith, who was held out of the preseason game as a precaution. Howell will next be in action when Seattle takes on the Tennessee Titans on August 17.
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Howell is expected to begin the season behind Geno Smith. However, it appears the former Commander isn't a lock to be the No. 2 signal-caller on the depth chart. "Not much," he said when responding to a question about what he knows about his role heading into the 2023-24 campaign. "They just tell me to keep working and just keep trying to get better every single day, and I'm taking it one day at a time, and I really don't worry too much about the future or what plans they might have for me just because nobody really knows." Howell finished last season by throwing for 3,946 yards, 21 touchdowns, and 21 interceptions. He also completed 63.4% of his throws and added five rushing touchdowns. As such, the 23-year-old could get a chance under center in Seattle if Smith struggles at any point during the season, assuming he doesn't win the starting job during training camp. As a result, dynasty managers playing in multi-quarterback setups and have room to spare should keep Howell on the roster, at least for now.
Seahawks Believe Sam Howell Can Be A Full-Time Starter
The Seattle Seahawks traded for former Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell on March 14. Although the franchise has already declared Geno Smith as the starter in 2024, general manager John Schneider said he "absolutely" believes Howell can be a full-time starter again in the future. Howell started 17 games for Washington last season, throwing for 3,946 yards, 21 touchdowns, and 21 interceptions. He flashed upside and mobility, but the turnover woes proved to mark the end of his short tenure with the Commanders. With Smith turning 34 next season, Seattle will likely have to eye his replacement in the near future. It's not necessarily going to be Howell, but it sounds like the Seahawks are keeping the light on for him moving forward. The North Carolina product doesn't have immediate fantasy value, but he might be worth stashing in Superflex and two-QB dynasty leagues.
The Seattle Seahawks acquired quarterback Sam Howell from the Washington Commanders on Thursday. There was some speculation that Howell was brought in as competition for veteran signal-caller Geno Smith. Seahawks general manager John Schneider confirmed that they didn't acquire Howell to compete with Smith in camp. It sounds like the Seahawks believe that Howell has the potential to be a starter, but he still has areas to improve upon before moving into that role. Smith is entering the final year of his deal, so maybe the Seahawks move onto Howell after 2024. Regardless, it looks like the plan is for Smith to be under center to begin the 2024 season.
The Seattle Seahawks have agreed to send a 2024 third-round pick and a 2024 fifth-round pick to the Washington Commanders in exchange for quarterback Sam Howell, a 2024 fourth-round pick, and a 2024 sixth-round pick. Washington just added veteran quarterback Marcus Mariota and is expected to take a rookie quarterback with the No. 2 overall pick in April's draft, so Howell became expendable. The 23-year-old started 17 games for Washington last year, throwing for 3,946 yards, 21 touchdowns, and 21 interceptions. He rushed for 263 yards and five scores. Meanwhile, Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith is entering the final year of his contract and regressed from 4,282 yards and 30 touchdowns in 2022 to 3,624 yards and 20 touchdowns in 2023. Although Smith is likely still the favorite to start for Seattle in 2024, Howell could push for the job this offseason.
Sam Howell Closes Season With Another Weak Performance
Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell completed 19 of 27 passes for 153 yards, a touchdown, and two interceptions along with one reception for four yards and four carries for negative one yard during Sunday's loss to the Dallas Cowboys. After a series of rough outings, the second-year quarterback closed out the season with his second underwhelming performance against Dallas. In addition to his interceptions, Howell also underthrew a wide-open Terry McLaurin for what would've been a massive touchdown on Washington's first possession. With the Commanders locked into a top-two pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, they're a likely suitor for a high-end quarterback prospect. So, after starting every game this year, Howell will probably be relegated to the backup role next season.
Drew Lock
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Seahawks
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