Seahawks GM John Schneider Reveals What He 'Loves' About QB Sam Howell

Sam Howell is now a member of the Seattle Seahawks, and general manager John Schneider knows how tough the quarterback had it in Washington last year.

Sam Howell is the newest member of the Seattle Seahawks after the Washington Commanders traded for him.

With Washington looking like it was going to select a new franchise quarterback with the No. 2 overall pick, that meant Howell's time with the Commanders was likely over. This was due, in part, to Howell's lack of consistency in his first year as a starter, as a 4-13 record meant that perhaps he wasn't the player Washington thought.

But it wasn't all Howell's fault. While he showed flashes of his talent, ultimately the organization clearly felt it had to go in a different direction. Seahawks general manager John Schneider, who has been an admirer of Howell's since the 2022 Draft, knows how tough he had it last season.

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“Sam’s a football player, I think that’s the best way to describe it,” Schneider said on Seattle Sports’ Wyman and Bob. "He’s a quarterback, but he’s really a football player, that’s what I love about him. He’s just a football player, and I keep going back to that but that’s a legit thing. This past year he threw it over 40 times in eight games, he threw it 50 times in two games. So, you know, it was rough sledding for him this past year with the Commanders."

Howell finished the year throwing for 3,946 yards, 21 touchdowns, and 21 interceptions, with a QBR of just 42.4 and a completion percentage of 63.4. 

While those numbers don't instill too much confidence, Howell spent most of the year on his back, being sacked 65 times, the second-most in the league.

In his first year as a starter, Howell had to learn a new scheme under Eric Bieniemy and had moving parts everywhere on offense, not to mention the change of ownership and Ron Rivera being in the hottest of hot seats coaching-wise.

Now, Howell gets a fresh start with a stable organization looking to return to the playoffs after missing last season.

'Think the World Of Him': Sam Howell Eager to Learn From Geno

While Sam won't be the starter for Seattle right away, he can push Geno Smith to greater heights and make a case for being the franchise QB post-Geno.

But for now, Howell is looking to put a tough 2023 behind him and get down to work with his new team, with no more "tough sledding" on the horizon.