In the high-stakes world of NFL roster-building, Philadelphia Eagles general manager Howie Roseman doesn’t mince words. With the regular season looming and tough decisions piling up, Roseman made it clear: the Eagles need a quarterback with a killer instinct to bolster their depth chart. On Sunday, he found his man in Sam Howell, acquired in a savvy trade with the Minnesota Vikings. The deal, which saw Philadelphia send a 2026 fifth-round pick in exchange for Howell and a 2026 sixth-rounder, was a bold move that underscored Roseman’s urgency to fortify the quarterback room.
The trade wasn’t born out of panic, but necessity. With Tanner McKee, Jalen Hurts’ primary backup, sidelined by a fractured thumb just days before the season opener, and rookie Kyle McCord’s inconsistent summer, the Eagles needed a proven arm. Howell, a 2022 fifth-round pick who started for the Washington Commanders in 2023, fits the bill. “Sam had a lot of value for our team right now,” Roseman said Tuesday, as the Eagles finalized their 53-man roster. “This was about doing what’s right for the short term.”
Roseman’s confidence in Howell is no gamble—it’s rooted in years of scouting and firsthand experience. The Eagles studied Howell extensively before the 2022 draft, with Roseman personally watching him carve up Pitt in a 2021 college showdown at Heinz Field. Howell, then a star at North Carolina, went toe-to-toe with Kenny Pickett, another quarterback Roseman would later acquire. “It’s ironic,” Roseman mused, reflecting on landing both players. Howell’s 2023 performance against Philadelphia only deepened that respect: in two games as Washington’s starter, he torched the Eagles’ defense for 687 yards, five touchdowns, and a 73.1% completion rate.
Howell’s journey to Philadelphia has been a winding one. After throwing for 3,946 yards, 21 touchdowns, and a league-high 21 interceptions in his lone season as Washington’s starter, he was traded to the Seattle Seahawks, where he backed up Geno Smith. A subsequent move to Minnesota in April didn’t pan out, but Roseman saw an opportunity. “We know the player really well,” he said. “We’ve seen him firsthand as a starter. He’s always been on our radar.”
The trade for Howell prompted swift roster moves. The Eagles waived McCord, the New Jersey native and former Ohio State and Syracuse standout, along with Dorian Thompson-Robinson. Yet, there’s optimism McCord could return to the practice squad, a nod to the team’s belief in his potential. “That doesn’t mean we don’t like our young quarterbacks,” Roseman clarified. “We have great hope for those guys.” Still, Howell’s arrival signals a clear priority: experience and firepower now.
For Roseman, the decision to bring in Howell wasn’t just about McKee’s injury—it was about seizing a chance to add a proven competitor. “We would’ve made this move regardless of any situation with our first two quarterbacks,” he insisted. Howell will slot in as the No. 2 behind Hurts while McKee recovers, transitioning to the No. 3 role once the depth chart stabilizes.
As the Eagles gear up for their season opener, Howell’s presence adds a new layer of intrigue. His arm talent, battle-tested grit, and familiarity with the NFC East make him a dangerous insurance policy—and a potential game-changer. Roseman’s message is clear: the Eagles aren’t just building a roster; they’re hunting for killers. In Sam Howell, they may have found one.