Quarterback Sam Howell’s performance with the Washington Commanders has been respectable over two seasons, as he accumulated 3,946 yards and 21 touchdowns this year.
Despite this, Howell appears to be on his way out, with the Commanders holding the No. 2 pick in the upcoming draft and reportedly eyeing a potential franchise quarterback.
As a result, Howell could soon be traded, and according to Connor Hughes via Dov Kleiman, the New York Jets might be one of the teams interested in acquiring him.
The Jets had hoped they found their franchise quarterback when they traded for Aaron Rodgers last offseason, but an Achilles injury to Rodgers in the first game of the season threw those plans into uncertainty.
While Rodgers is expected to return at some point in 2024, Howell could serve as a reliable backup to provide some stability behind the aging quarterback.
Howell, a fifth-round pick in 2022, started in Washington’s final regular-season game after the team decided to move on from Carson Wentz and benched Taylor Heinicke.
Given that Rodgers is now 40 and recovering from a serious injury, New York is likely weighing its options for life beyond him, especially considering the uncertainty surrounding his future.
While Howell struggled with interceptions, leading the league with 21 in 2023, and took a league-high 65 sacks, his college career at North Carolina showed he was less prone to turnovers.
It’s possible that other teams could also express interest in the 23-year-old in the coming weeks as they prepare for the future.
