With the regular season less than two weeks away, the Minnesota Vikings and Philadelphia Eagles have engaged in a late trade. The Vikings announced Sunday that they are sending quarterback Sam Howell to the Eagles in exchange for draft picks.
In return, Minnesota receives a fifth-rounder in 2026 and a seventh-rounder in 2027. Philadelphia also received a sixth-round pick in 2026 as part of the trade.
In a related move, the Vikings announced that they have signed former Eagles starting QB Carson Wentz. Wentz will serve as a veteran backup for JJ McCarthy, who will be returning to the field after missing his rookie season recovering from season-ending meniscus surgery.
The Vikings are also releasing backup quarterback Brett Rypien, NFL Network reported Sunday.
[Join or create a Yahoo Fantasy Football league for the 2025 NFL season]
Per the team, Wentz participated in a workout in Minnesota on Saturday before signing. Wentz spent last season with the Kansas City Chiefs on a one-year deal, and was a free agent.
After five years — including an MVP-worthy campaign before getting injured in the Eagles' 2017 Super Bowl run — Wentz has bounced between teams for the past several seasons. Minnesota will be his sixth team in as many years.
The move shakes up the quarterback room in Philadelphia as well, as Howell steps in as backup to Jalen Hurts. That role was originally held by third-year Eagles backup Tanner McKee, who put up solid numbers in the first preseason game but hasn't practiced since Tuesday with a finger injury.
Howell's arrival also indicates that McKee's injury may be a longer-term issue than originally hoped. In comments to reporters earlier this weekend, Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni seemed tempered on when McKee would return to full strength.
"He's working to get back. We'll see where he is," Sirianni said.
Behind McKee on the QB depth chart is Dorian Thompson-Robinson, who was acquired from the Cleveland Browns in a backup-QB trade, and rookie Kyle McCord. Though Thompson-Robinson put up a solid preseason showing, McCord has not quite impressed in the preseason: In three games, he's gone a collective 24-for-56 passing, with one touchdown and two interceptions.
With that, Howell will join the Eagles' quarterback room likely as QB2. Howell, who was drafted by the Washington Commanders in 2022, will land with the fourth team in his four-year career.
Comments