Commanders surprisingly linked to outrageous reunion with discarded quarterback

The Washington Commanders have a star quarterback in Jayden Daniels to spearhead their exciting new era that got off to the best possible start. That did not stop one writer from linking the franchise to an outrageous reunion with someone Adam Peters discarded before the 2024 NFL Draft.

Sam Howell became collateral damage when the Commanders set their sights on Daniels. The former fifth-round pick started the 2023 campaign but went through severe complications behind Washington's inept offensive line. His regression down the stretch was alarming enough for the new regime to go in a different direction.

Peters extracted maximum value for Howell, trading him to the Seattle Seahawks. After backing up Geno Smith last season, the signal-caller is reportedly on the trade block again after the team signed Sam Darnold and Drew Lock.

Commanders named as surprising landing spot for Sam Howell amid trade rumors

What the future holds for Howell is unclear. There is rumored to be interest from around the league, but Lee Vowell from 12th Man Rising thought the Commanders could be among the more likely landing spots.

The most obvious team the Seahawks might be able to deal with again is the Commanders. Washington has a great young quarterback, Jayden Daniels, but the backup is aging veteran Marcus Mariota. Bringing back Howell does not mean Mariota would need to leave, though. The Commanders could carry three quarterbacks. The Seahawks do not currently have a sixth-round pick in the 2025 NFL draft, so adding one makes sense. That would not be too much for the Commanders to give up to get the popular Howell back. Star receiver Terry McLaurin was quite upset when Howell was traded in 2024, for instance.Lee Vowell

This would be an emotional return to the place where Howell was drafted. Even so, the chances of this coming to fruition are non-existent.

The Commanders have settled on their four quarterbacks heading into their 2025 preparations. Daniels is the franchise player. Mariota is an experienced backup and exceptional mentor. Washington is looking to develop former undrafted free agent Sam Hartman. Journeyman veteran Josh Johnson rounds off the team's options.

Trading for Howell doesn't fit into the team's plans, to put it mildly. Terry McLaurin said it was tough to see him leave, but I can guarantee he's not feeling (or thinking) much about his old quarterback these days.

The wideout and Daniels formed a prolific partnership last season. Both earned Pro Bowl honors. McLaurin broke the single-season franchise record for receiving touchdowns and also earned a second-team All-Pro selection as a result of his sterling efforts. That doesn't happen with Howell under center.

The Commanders only have five selections during the 2025 NFL Draft. Trading one for a player already deemed surplus to requirements under this regime would be nothing short of astonishing.

That's not to say Howell won't find a new home. This isn't the best quarterback draft class. One team could decide that giving up a late-round pick for a young backup with starting experience would be smarter than taking a flier on someone from the college ranks. That's his best hope of landing in a good spot.

That won't be the Commanders. But it will be somewhere.

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