Commanders Trade QB Sam Howell to Seahawks for Draft Picks, per Report

He led the NFL in both interceptions and sacks taken in 2023.

The Washington Commanders are trading quarterback Sam Howell, a fourth-round draft pick (No. 102) and a sixth-round draft pick (No. 179) to the Seattle Seahawks in exchange for a third- (No. 78) and fifth-round draft pick (No. 152), according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. 

Howell, 23, started in all 17 games for the Commanders this past season. He threw for 3,946 yards and 21 touchdowns but led the NFL in both interceptions (21) and sacks taken (65). He’ll now head to Seattle where he’ll compete with Geno Smith for the starting job.

Meanwhile, it appears Washington is positioning itself to take its quarterback of the future this spring. After finishing 2024 with a 4–13 record, the Commanders have the No. 2 pick in April’s NFL draft and will likely select one of the top signal-callers in this year’s class that includes USC’s Caleb Williams, North Carolina’s Drake Maye, LSU’s Jayden Daniels and Washington’s Michael Penix Jr. 

Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell (14) throws against the Los Angeles Rams during the first half at SoFi Stadium :: Gary A. Vasquez/USA TODAY Sports

The 2024 NFL draft is slated to begin April 25 in Detroit.