Sam Howell

Sam Howell said he is adjusting to backup role again with the Seahawks.

Fantasy Impact

“In this league, to be able to play, you’ve got to compete and that’s what I’m willing to do, no matter what the situation is, no matter who the starter is,” Howell said. "If I’m the starter, I’m coming to compete every single day,” Howell added that he has been able to learn under Geno Smith. The 2022 fifth-round pick talked about how he learned last season how costly his mistakes can be for his team. “I think I could play some smarter ball. I think there were times where we were down big in some games, I was a little too aggressive just trying to make something happen trying to get us back in the game,” Howell said.

Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald said that third-year QB Sam Howell "knows" he's the team's backup behind veteran passer Geno Smith.

Fantasy Impact

Macdonald continued by saying that he believes Howell has a "bright future" that the team believes in. While that could be nothing more than coach speak, the Seahawks went out of their way to acquire the former fifth-rounder via trade. Howell has proven statistical production (3,946 passing yards and 21 touchdowns in 2023) but also was not efficient (21 interceptions and 23rd in EPA+CPOE composite in 2023). He could have a chance to develop behind Smith, who has two years left on his deal.

The Washington Commanders are trading Sam Howell, a fourth-round and a sixth-round pick to the Seahawks for a third-round and a fifth-round pick.

Fantasy Impact

With Drew Lock signing with the Giants, Howell figures to likely backup Geno Smith now for the Seahawks. Howell spent the past two seasons with the Commanders, but couldn't quite find his way as a starter with Washington.

Sam Howell completed 19 of his 27 passes for 153 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions in a 38-10 loss to the Cowboys in Week 18.

Fantasy Impact

The Commanders initially planned to start Jacoby Brissett in Week 17 but he came down with a hamstring injury which forced Washington to go back to Howell. At one point in the season, Howell looked like the team's QB of the future but he has likely played himself out of that job over the final month of the season. Howell wraps his 2023 season with 3,946 passing yards, 21 touchdowns, and 21 interceptions in 17 games.

The Washington Commanders will continue to start QB Sam Howell in Week 18 in favor of Jacoby Brissett.

Fantasy Impact

As veteran QB Brissett continues to battle a hamstring injury, Howell will remain the starter for the team's season finale. Howell will be the first Washington QB to be the starter for every game in a season since Kirk Cousins in 2017, but it doesn't properly convey the story, as he was benched late in Weeks 15 and 16 and was set to be benched for Week 17 before Brissett's injury. Against Dallas' defense that dominated Washington early this year, Howell is a riskier start in fantasy given his current form.