NFL Trade Rumors: Commanders' Sam Howell to Broncos?

If the Washington Commanders don't want to give Sam Howell a shot at starting, perhaps they can find a trade partner who is.

The Washington Commanders made a bold move last season by rolling second-year quarterback Sam Howell out as their starting quarterback just one season after selecting him in the fifth round of the NFL Draft.

Howell showed plenty of potential early on but after trying to help the Commanders' offense carry the team in the face of a string of letdown defensive efforts things ultimately came undone leading to just four wins, the firing of coach Ron Rivera, and widespread expectations the team will shift gears to a new quarterback in 2024.

If that happens, Howell will either be reduced to a backup role or need to prove to Washington he's better than the anticipated No. 2 overall pick the team brings in.

Nov 12, 2023; Seattle, Washington, USA; Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell (14) signals to the sideline during the fourth quarter against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field / Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

Or - in a third possibility - he might be able to fight it out for another job elsewhere, like say with coach Sean Payton and the Denver Broncos.

"Denver is in a tough spot fresh off the Russell Wilson disaster," says The Athletic in their quarterback carousel projections. "The Broncos have limited cap flexibility and not a lot of appeal for a top free agent like (Kirk) Cousins. Their draft capital is also somewhat limited from various trades — they don’t own a second-round pick — and they’re picking 12th, just out of range for the top quarterback prospects unless J.J. McCarthy falls or they love Bo Nix or Michael Penix Jr.

"There was some buzz in Indianapolis that they are intrigued by the idea of adding a young quarterback via trade. Howell (3,946 yards, 21 touchdowns, 21 interceptions in 2023) would be an interesting target, free of the mess in Washington. A third- or fourth-round pick should do the trick."

Getting either a third or fourth-round pick from the Broncos would represent a profit from the Commanders' initial investment just three years ago, and could be used to help shape the roster being built around whatever new quarterback comes in. 

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On the other hand, having youth, potential, and a full 18 games of NFL experience on hand - even in a backup role - could prove valuable to a team in desperate need of more wins than losses as quickly as possible.

Managing partner Josh Harris, general manager Adam Peters, and coach Dan Quinn have preached having an aggressive mindset, and trading a quarterback for draft capital could certainly be viewed as fitting the mold.