With the commencement of the regular schedule just a couple of weeks away, the Minnesota Vikings and Philadelphia Eagles have completed a last-minute deal. The Vikings made the announcement on Sunday, stating they are transferring quarterback Sam Howell to the Eagles for future selections in the draft.
In exchange, Minnesota will be given a fifth-round pick in the 2026 draft and a seventh-round pick in the 2027 draft. Philadelphia also obtained a sixth-round selection in the 2026 draft as part of the agreement.
Simultaneously, the Vikings declared that they have secured former Eagles starting QB Carson Wentz. Wentz will serve as an experienced reserve for JJ McCarthy, who is scheduled to return to the lineup following the conclusion of his rookie season due to recovery from surgery to repair a meniscus tear. The Vikings are also releasing backup quarterback Brett Rypien, NFL Network reported Sunday.
Another destination for Wentz
According to the Vikings, Wentz engaged in a practice session in Minnesota on Saturday prior to the agreement. Wentz spent the previous season with the Kansas City Chiefs under a one-year contract and was a free agent.
After a period of five years — which included a season worthy of MVP recognition before he was injured during the Eagles’ Super Bowl journey in 2017 — Wentz has alternated between teams over the past few seasons. Minnesota represents his sixth team in a similar number of years.
The development reshapes the quarterback situation in Philadelphia, as Howell assumes the role of backup to Jalen Hurts. This position was formerly held by Tanner McKee, a third-year Eagles backup, who demonstrated notable performance during the initial preseason game but has been unable to train throughout the week due to a finger injury.
McKee has reportedly received a diagnosis of a fractured thumb, as per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. The injury is expected to sideline him for Week 1; however, it is located on the upper section of the thumb, which may reduce the amount of time he is away from the field.
According to Rapoport, the trade involving Howell was likely to happen regardless, but Howell’s presence offers the Eagles some ease, no matter the duration of McKee’s recovery.
Following McKee in the QB depth chart is Dorian Thompson-Robinson, who was obtained from the Cleveland Browns in a backup QB deal, and rookie Kyle McCord. But the Eagles released Thompson-Robinson on Sunday, per multiple reports. McCord, meanwhile, has not been especially impressive during the preseason. In three matches, his collective passing record stands at 24-for-56, with one touchdown and two interceptions.
Given these circumstances, Howell will probably be integrated into the Eagles’ quarterback setup as QB2. Howell, who was initially drafted by the Washington Commanders in 2022, will join the fourth team in his four-year tenure.
Active day for Eagles
The agreement was among three made by the Eagles on a busy Sunday for the Super Bowl champions. As reported, the Eagles obtained backup offensive tackle Fred Johnson from the Jaguars in exchange for a seventh-round draft selection in 2026 and then dispatched backup offensive tackle Darian Kennard to the Packers in exchange for a sixth-round selection in 2027.
Last week, the Eagles also traded for John Metchie, a former wide receiver for the Texans.
