Eagles and Vikings Swap Quarterbacks: Howell to Philly, Door Opens for Wentz in Minnesota
In a significant quarterback shuffle that reshapes the backup situation for two NFL teams, the Philadelphia Eagles have acquired Sam Howell from the Minnesota Vikings. This trade not only addresses immediate depth concerns for Philadelphia but also potentially paves the way for former Eagles star Carson Wentz to return to NFL action with the Vikings.
The Eagles sent Minnesota a fifth-round pick in 2026 and a seventh-round selection in 2027 in exchange for Howell and a 2026 sixth-round pick. The timing of this move is particularly notable as it follows an injury setback to Eagles backup quarterback Tanner McKee, creating urgency for Philadelphia to secure experienced depth behind starter Jalen Hurts before the regular season begins. Howell now has a limited window to familiarize himself with the Eagles’ offensive system if he needs to serve as Hurts’ primary backup in Week 1.
For the Vikings, this transaction creates an opening that could be filled by Carson Wentz, who recently visited with the team. At 32 years old, Wentz represents a veteran option to back up Minnesota’s emerging young quarterback JJ McCarthy. This potential signing would mark yet another chapter in Wentz’s winding NFL journey, which began with such promise in Philadelphia. After being selected second overall in the 2016 NFL Draft out of North Dakota State, Wentz was once viewed as the Eagles’ franchise cornerstone. During his five-year tenure in Philadelphia, he accumulated impressive statistics – 16,811 passing yards, 113 touchdowns, and 50 interceptions across 68 games, while compiling a 35-32-1 record as a starter. However, his Eagles career ended unceremoniously when he was benched in favor of Jalen Hurts during the 2020 season after 12 games.
The years following Wentz’s departure from Philadelphia have been marked by diminishing returns and frequent changes of scenery. He spent one season as the Indianapolis Colts’ starter, posting a respectable 9-8 record, before joining the Washington Commanders for the 2022 campaign. His time in Washington proved short-lived, as he was benched after a 2-5 start. Since then, Wentz has bounced between the Los Angeles Rams and Kansas City Chiefs in backup roles. If signed by Minnesota, the Vikings would become his sixth NFL team as he enters his tenth professional season – a remarkable trajectory for a player once considered among the league’s brightest young talents.
Meanwhile, Sam Howell heads to Philadelphia looking to stabilize his own career path. The former North Carolina standout entered the league as a fifth-round selection in 2022 with Washington. Despite being a late-round pick, Howell earned significant starting experience with the Commanders, opening 17 games before the team drafted Jayden Daniels. During his Washington tenure, Howell demonstrated both promise and growing pains, throwing for 3,946 yards with an even 21-21 touchdown-to-interception ratio. After brief stops with the Seahawks and Vikings, Howell now joins an Eagles organization known for developing quarterback talent.
This transaction highlights the fluid nature of NFL quarterback rooms and the league’s constant personnel adjustments. For the Eagles, acquiring Howell provides insurance behind their franchise quarterback without surrendering immediate draft capital. For the Vikings, trading Howell creates flexibility to bring in Wentz, whose experience could prove valuable mentoring McCarthy. And for the quarterbacks themselves, these moves represent new opportunities – Howell joining a stable organization with strong offensive coaching, and Wentz potentially finding a role that could extend his NFL career. As the regular season approaches, both teams will work quickly to integrate these quarterbacks into their systems, demonstrating how even backup positions receive careful strategic consideration in today’s NFL.
