WASHINGTON — The Seattle Seahawks are acquiring quarterback Sam Howell from the Washington Commanders in a swap of draft picks, according to a person familiar with the trade.
Seattle is getting Howell and fourth- and sixth-round picks from Washington for third- and fifth-rounders, the person said. The person spoke to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity Thursday because the deal had not yet been announced.
The picks going to the Seahawks are Nos. 102 and 179 and to the Commanders Nos. 78 and 152. That gives Washington six selections in the top 100.
Howell started all 17 games last season for the Commanders and led the NFL with 21 interceptions. He also was sacked a league-high 65 times. Washington signed veteran backup Marcus Mariota and could draft its QB of the future with the No. 2 pick, potentially North Carolina’s Drake Maye or LSU’s Heisman Trophy-winning Jayden Daniels.
A 2022 fifth-round pick out of UNC, Howell gives Seattle a backup to Geno Smith with 18 professional starts of experience, after Drew Lock left to sign with the New York Giants.
