Seattle Seahawks Sam Howell Trade: NFL Analysts 'Favorite Move'

The Seattle Seahawks raised some eyebrows trading for Sam Howell, and NFL.com's Eric Edholm is a big fan of the move.

Dallas Cowboys v Washington Commanders / Scott Taetsch/GettyImages

The Seattle Seahawks have seen some players leave via free agency, but have also seen come in through the doors, one being former Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell.

With Drew Lock now with the New York Giants, the Seahawks needed a backup for Geno Smith, and with general manager John Schneider's liking of Howell; things dating all the way back to the 2022 draft, things moved quickly, and Sam became a Seahawk.

NFL.com's Eric Ehlom, in his latest power rankings, has the Seahawks at 24, thanks in part to the franchise's move to acquire Howell.

"My favorite move by this team this offseason might be trading for Sam Howell, Edholm wrote. "The Seahawks surely saw the writing on the wall in Washington for Howell, as well as the accessible trade market for quarterbacks. Howell arrived at a relatively inexpensive price, and he might be a suitable replacement for Geno Smith down the road, assuming the trade allows him to reset and thrive in a better situation. That's the kind of value I can get behind, even if acquiring Howell offers only so much in the way of an immediate return."

Dallas Cowboys v Washington Commanders / Scott Taetsch/GettyImages

The "suitable replacement" idea has gained traction ever since Howell was signed. With Geno potentially being moved on at season's end, signing Howell gives Seattle a way forward if Smith isn't retained after the 2024 season.

Howell has shown that he has the skills to be a starter in the league, and while last season with Washington wasn't ideal, given the off-field issues and the uncertainty around Ron Rivera's position coupled with it being Eric Bieniemy's first year as offensive coordinator, Howell showed flashes of what he could be.

Now in Seattle, could Howell theoretically sit behind Geno for the year, learn Ryan Grubb's system, and then be ready to take over in 2025 with Smith moved on and saving the Seahawks $25 million in cap room? Possibly.

The signing of Howell doesn't mean that if Smith has a poor game or two, he will be replaced, but it does put a little fire under Geno that he perhaps has competition behind him.

It will go one of two ways: Smith will play well and lead Seattle to the playoffs, or if things go south, Howell could step in, and the Seahawks may have their quarterback for the foreseeable future who is still on a rookie deal.

The quarterback situation in Seattle is delicately poised.