As the Minnesota Vikings gear up for training camp later this month, the quarterback room is buzzing with intrigue and uncertainty. Among the names generating headlines is Sam Howell, a player once heralded as a potential franchise quarterback, now fighting for his roster spot. Acquired in a low-cost trade from the Seattle Seahawks, Howell’s tenure with the Vikings could be short-lived as the team evaluates its options behind starter J.J. McCarthy. With whispers of a possible reunion with former Vikings star Kirk Cousins, the quarterback carousel in Minnesota is spinning faster than ever.
Howell’s High Stakes at Camp
Sam Howell, entering camp as the QB2 behind the untested J.J. McCarthy, faces a make-or-break moment. The 25-year-old signal-caller, who is in the final year of his modest $4 million rookie contract, must prove to head coach Kevin O’Connell that he’s ready to step up if called upon. McCarthy, a 22-year-old second-year player, missed his entire rookie season due to a knee injury and remains a question mark heading into 2025. With little competition behind them—Brett Rypien and undrafted rookie Max Brosmer are vying for QB3—Howell’s performance in camp will be under intense scrutiny.
Howell’s resume is a mixed bag. In 2023, he led the NFL in passing attempts as the Washington Commanders’ starter, racking up 3,946 yards on 388-of-612 completions, with 21 touchdowns and 21 interceptions. Over his three-year career, he’s thrown 22 touchdowns against 23 interceptions, posting a 5-13 record in 20 appearances. His big arm is undeniable, but as Alec Lewis of The Athletic pointed out, decision-making remains Howell’s Achilles’ heel. If he falters, the Vikings could look elsewhere for a reliable backup.
A Low-Cost Gamble
The Vikings acquired Howell in a draft-pick swap that cost them just 30 spots in April’s draft, sending a fifth-round pick to Seattle in exchange for the No. 172 pick, which they later flipped to the Los Angeles Rams for two sixth-rounders. Those picks became linebacker Kobe King from Penn State and tight end Gavin Bartholomew from Pittsburgh. With such a minimal investment, cutting Howell would be a painless move if the Vikings believe he’s not up to the task.
Minnesota’s quarterback depth is thin, and with McCarthy’s inexperience, a dependable backup is critical—especially for a team with Super Bowl aspirations. If Howell can’t convince the coaching staff he can handle meaningful snaps in case of injury or poor play from McCarthy, the Vikings could pivot to a more proven option.
Could Kirk Cousins Make a Stunning Return?
One tantalizing possibility is a reunion with Kirk Cousins, the former Vikings quarterback who signed a massive $180 million deal with the Atlanta Falcons in 2024. Ryan O’Leary of The Sporting News speculated that if the Falcons were to release Cousins, Minnesota could swoop in with a veteran minimum deal to bring him back. However, a release seems unlikely after Atlanta paid Cousins a $10 million roster bonus in March to preserve his trade value. If cut, the Falcons would still owe Cousins $27.5 million in base salary, minus any minimum contract he signs elsewhere.
A trade for Cousins appears more realistic. ESPN’s Adam Schefter suggested in April that a deal could see Minnesota absorb roughly $10 million of Cousins’ salary—a figure comparable to what the Vikings paid Sam Darnold in 2024 for a 14-win season and a playoff berth. With McCarthy’s $22 million rookie contract averaging $5.5 million annually, adding Cousins at $10 million would keep the quarterback room’s combined salary reasonable for a contending team. If Minnesota can get league-average production from the position, their Super Bowl dreams could stay alive.
The Road Ahead
As training camp looms, the Vikings face pivotal decisions at quarterback. Sam Howell, once valued at a $21.3 million trade package with Washington, now finds himself on a precarious $4 million deal, battling to secure his spot. Meanwhile, the specter of Kirk Cousins looms large, offering a potential safety net—or a blockbuster reunion. With J.J. McCarthy’s development still uncertain and the stakes sky-high, Minnesota’s quarterback saga promises to be one of the NFL’s most compelling storylines this summer. Will Howell rise to the challenge, or will the Vikings roll the dice on a familiar face? Only time will tell.