Vikings Shake Up QB Room: Trade Sam Howell to Eagles, Sign Carson Wentz Ahead of 2025 Season

Just when you thought the Minnesota Vikings quarterback situation couldn’t get more interesting, they’ve gone ahead and pulled off the ultimate “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure” scenario in a rehash of the 2016 season, but in reverse. The Vikings have officially traded Sam Howell to the Philadelphia Eagles and signed Carson Wentz as their new backup quarterback because nothing says “stability” quite like swapping out quarterbacks faster than a fantasy football owner during bye weeks.

Let’s be honest here, this move has all the subtlety of a sledgehammer to the face. The Vikings basically looked at Howell’s preseason performance and said, “Thanks, but no thanks,” while simultaneously welcoming Wentz like he’s some kind of prodigal son returning home, which he kind of is for the North Dakota man.

Why the Vikings Made This Move

The writing was on the wall for Howell after his underwhelming preseason showing. When an undrafted free agent like Max Brosmer starts looking like Tom Brady compared to your supposed backup quarterback, it’s time to make some changes. Minnesota didn’t just stumble into this decision; they calculated it with the precision of a chess grandmaster.

Howell’s journey has been nothing short of a quarterback carousel ride from hell. Since being drafted by Washington in 2022, he’s been traded more times than a rookie card at a sports memorabilia convention. First, Washington to Seattle, then Seattle to Minnesota, and now Minnesota to Philadelphia. At this rate, he might set a record for most teams visited before his third NFL season.

The trade details tell their own story. Minnesota sent Howell and a 2026 sixth-round pick to Philadelphia in exchange for a 2026 fifth-round pick and a 2027 seventh-round pick. Translation: Minnesota basically paid the Eagles to take him off their hands. That’s not exactly a ringing endorsement of his abilities.

Carson Wentz Returns to Familiar Territory

Enter Carson Wentz, the 32-year-old journeyman who’s seen more NFL cities than a traveling salesman. After spending 2024 as Patrick Mahomes‘ backup in Kansas City, where he played exactly two games and started one meaningless regular-season finale, he is ready for his next chapter in purple.

This isn’t his first rodeo with quarterback instability. The man has bounced around the league like a pinball, playing for the Eagles, Colts, Commanders, Rams, and Chiefs. His résumé reads like a “Where’s Waldo” book, except instead of finding a guy in a striped shirt, you’re tracking down which team Wentz is disappointing this season.

But here’s the thing about him: when he’s healthy and focused, he’s actually a capable quarterback. His career numbers aren’t terrible: 22,410 passing yards, 153 touchdowns, and 67 interceptions across nine seasons. Sure, he’s not going to win any MVP awards (well, he almost did in 2017 before getting hurt), but he’s a serviceable backup who knows how to run an NFL offense.

The Philadelphia Connection

The Eagles getting Howell back is particularly interesting, considering this is where Wentz’s NFL career began almost ten years ago now. Philadelphia drafted Wentz second overall in 2016, and he spent five seasons there before being unceremoniously shipped out when Jalen Hurts took over. Now they’re taking a flyer on the North Carolina product, perhaps hoping to find lightning in a bottle with another young quarterback.

For the Eagles, this move makes sense from a depth perspective. With Hurts as their starter and Tanner McKee as the current backup, who is suffering from a finger injury at the moment, adding Howell gives them another arm to develop and be the backup until McKee is healthy. Plus, they basically got him for free while moving up in the draft order. It’s the kind of low-risk, potentially high-reward move that smart organizations make.

What This Means for the Vikings Moving Forward

The most telling aspect of this entire transaction is what it says about Max Brosmer’s chances of making the 53-man roster. When an undrafted rookie outperforms your veteran backup so thoroughly that you trade said veteran and sign a different veteran, that rookie has probably earned himself a roster spot.
Brosmer’s preseason performance has been nothing short of impressive.

While Howell was struggling to find his rhythm, Brosmer was slinging passes with the confidence of a seasoned pro. The kid has that “it” factor that coaches love; he’s poised, accurate, and seems to understand the game at a level that belies his experience.

For Minnesota, signing Wentz provides them with a known commodity as their backup. Sure, he comes with baggage and injury concerns, but he also brings nine years of NFL experience and the ability to step in and start games if needed. In a league where quarterback depth is crucial, having someone like him on the roster isn’t the worst insurance policy.

The Bigger Picture

This move reflects the modern NFL’s ruthless approach to roster construction. Teams are constantly evaluating talent and making moves to improve their position, even if it means admitting mistakes. Minnesota realized that Howell wasn’t going to be the answer they hoped for when they acquired him from Seattle this offseason
The fact that they were willing to pay to get rid of him essentially speaks volumes about how poorly he performed during the preseason. In a league where every roster spot matters, keeping a player who isn’t contributing positively to your team’s success is a mistake waiting to happen.

Looking Ahead

As Minnesota now prepares for the regular season, their new quarterback room consists of starter JJ McCarthy, Wentz, and promising UDFA Max Brosmer for the upcoming regular season. It’s not exactly the most intimidating trio in the league, but it’s functional and provides different skill sets.
The former North Dakota State project’s addition gives Minnesota a quarterback who has starting experience and understands what it takes to win in the NFL.

Whether he can stay healthy and effective remains to be seen, but at this stage of his career, he’s probably just happy to have another opportunity to contribute to a team.
The Vikings’ willingness to make this move shows they’re not afraid to admit when something isn’t working and make changes accordingly. In a league where stubbornness can be deadly, that kind of flexibility might just serve them well in the long run.