The Minnesota Vikings acquired quarterback Sam Howell from the Seattle Seahawks on Saturday for a draft pick swap.
The Vikings gave up their fifth-round draft pick in order to make the move, which was the No. 142 pick overall. The Seahawks gave up their fifth-round pick, No. 172 overall, in the deal.
The Seahawks drafted Notre Dame defensive tackle Rylie Mills with the 142nd pick.
Howell, 24, played in two games off the bench for the Seahawks last season, going 5 of 14 for 24 yards with a touchdown and interception. The North Carolina product made 17 starts for the Washington Commanders in 2023 and completed 63.4 percent of his passes for 3,946 yards, 21 touchdowns and a league-worst 21 interceptions.
Howell was ACC rookie of the year in 2019 and second team All-ACC in 2020. He threw for school records of 10,283 yards and 92 touchdowns in three seasons with the Tar Heels. In 2021, he had 24 touchdowns with nine interceptions before he was a fifth-round draft pick by the Commanders in 2022.
Mills tore the ACL in his right knee during a victory over Indiana in the College Football Playoffs in December. He told reporters on Saturday that he’s making quick progress.
“My knee is really ahead of schedule,” Mills said. “I know I talked to (the Seahawks) doctor out there and my knee is doing awesome. I’m walking around really well and I’m starting to run and they said I’m way ahead of where a lot of guys would be.”
The Vikings later dealt the 172nd pick to the Los Angeles Rams, who selected Ole Miss linebacker Chris Paul Jr. Minnesota received two sixth-round picks (No. 201 and 202 overall) from the Rams.
