Trade rumors are nothing new for the Browns, what about Sam Howell?
With the NFL Draft just five days away, the Cleveland Browns are finalizing their plans by simulating dozens of scenarios that may occur during the first few rounds. The hope would be that they won’t be faced with a new option for the first time when they are actually on the clock.
The biggest mystery is what the team will do to draft a quarterback early in the draft despite solidifying the room by adding Joe Flacco last week. It was a main talking point when GM Andrew Berry spoke to the media this week, and if we are honest, the Browns picking any of the top five QBs wouldn’t come as a surprise.
Cleveland may now have a new option on the table. According to reports, the Seattle Seahawks are taking calls and are willing to trade backup quarterback Sam Howell:
The #Seahawks are open to trading QB Sam Howell and have received inquiries from teams, sources told @BradyHenderson and me. https://t.co/IDSAILLaxd
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) April 19, 2025
Howell was originally drafted in the fifth round of the 2022 draft by the Washington Commanders. He started all 17 games for them in 2023 and completed 63.4 percent of his passes for 3,946 yards, and 21 TD passes.
While he threw too many interceptions (21), there were impressive throws all over the tape as the young QB played with poise and kept that offense moving the ball. He would later be traded in the offseason to Seattle in a pick swap that included a fourth rounder going to Washington.
It would probably cost the Browns a day three pick if they wanted to bring him in to compete with Kenny Pickett and Flacco. Ironically, Howell has often been compared to Baker Mayfield since coming out of college. The two have an uncanny resemblance, from their looks and stature to the way they play the position.
The move would also allow Cleveland to select the best long-term answer for the position in the draft. Both Pickett and Howell are still on their rookie deals and the Browns could move on from one easily after training camp. If they both perform well, the team could look to trade Joe Flacco to a team that may have an unexpected need come up due to injury.
The move would ultimately give the Browns more flexibility while strengthening the competition this year and Howell’s talent would be worth the shot even if it seems unlikely.
How would you feel about the Browns making an offer for Howell? Do you think he’d elevate the talent in the room? Let us know in the comments below.