Philadelphia Eagles general manager Howie Roseman did not waste much time with the quarterback concerns behind Tanner McKee as he found another solution to the situation.
NFL insiders Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport report the Eagles have agreed to trade a 2026 fifth-round pick and a 2027 seventh-round pick to the Minnesota Vikings in exchange for quarterback Sam Howell and a 2026 sixth-round pick.
Trade! The #Vikings are sending QB Sam Howell to the #Eagles, sources tell me and @RapSheet.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) August 24, 2025
Minnesota gets a 2026 5th-round pick and a 2027 7th. Philadelphia gets a 2026 6th and Howell, an experienced backup for Jalen Hurts while Tanner McKee deals with an injury. pic.twitter.com/RVRam0CmbH
McKee is currently out with a finger injury, but Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni was not clear on when he will be back when asked about him after Friday's 19-17 preseason win over the New York Jets. Dorian Thompson-Robinson did not play in that game as rookie Kyle McCord played the whole game.
What the Eagles are getting with Howell
This certainly highlights the severity of McKee's finger injury. It appears he could be out for a while for Roseman to pull the trigger on getting another veteran in the QB room.
Howell brings plenty of experience to the Eagles, having started 18 games in his career. The results are more mixed than anything, as he has gone 5-13 as a starter. His career stats include 4,139 yards and 22 touchdowns to 23 interceptions with the Washington Commanders and Seattle Seahawks.
He spent the preseason with the Vikings after the team traded for him during the 2025 NFL Draft. Howell was expected to be the backup in Minnesota, but they are signing former Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz to a one-year deal to be the backup.
Howell is a solid quarterback who excels at working within the pocket but can also utilize his mobility when needed. Decision-making is an area where he needs to improve, but he's as good a backup as they come in the NFL.
McCord struggled mightily in the preseason, worse than the Eagles had expected. He finished with a completion percentage under 45% in three preseason games. Dorian Thompson-Robinson did not do much to separate himself either.
Read more: Eagles easiest cut after preseason catastrophe is crystal clear
This gives the Eagles a reliable backup who has started in the past while McKee recovers from his injury. Philly hopes to have just as much success with Howell as they have had with McKee.