With the regular season less than two weeks away, the Minnesota Vikings and Philadelphia Eagles have engaged in a late trade. The Vikings announced Sunday that they are sending quarterback Sam Howell to the Eagles in exchange for draft picks.
In return, Minnesota receives a fifth-rounder in 2026 and a seventh-rounder in 2027. Philadelphia also received a sixth-round pick in 2026 as part of the trade.
In a related move, the Vikings announced that they have signed former Eagles starting QB Carson Wentz. Wentz will serve as a veteran backup for JJ McCarthy, who will be returning to the field after missing his rookie season recovering from season-ending meniscus surgery. The Vikings are also releasing backup quarterback Brett Rypien, NFL Network reported Sunday.
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Another new landing spot for Wentz
Per the Vikings, Wentz participated in a workout in Minnesota on Saturday before signing. Wentz spent last season with the Kansas City Chiefs on a one-year deal and was a free agent.
After five years — including an MVP-worthy campaign before getting injured in the Eagles’ 2017 Super Bowl run — Wentz has bounced between teams for the past several seasons. Minnesota will be his sixth team in as many years.
The move shakes up the quarterback room in Philadelphia as well, as Howell steps in as backup to Jalen Hurts. That role was originally held by third-year Eagles backup Tanner McKee, who put up solid numbers in the first preseason game but hasn’t practiced all week with a finger injury.
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McKee has reportedly been diagnosed with a fractured thumb, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. The injury is likely to keep him out for Week 1, though the injury is to the top of the thumb, meaning that he may not miss as much time.
Per Rapoport, the trade for Howell likely would have happened anyway, but Howell’s arrival gives the Eagles a reprieve no matter how long McKee’s return takes.
Behind McKee on the QB depth chart is Dorian Thompson-Robinson, who was acquired from the Cleveland Browns in a backup-QB trade, and rookie Kyle McCord. But the Eagles waived Thompson-Robinson on Sunday, per multiple reports. McCord, meanwhile, has not quite impressed in the preseason: In three games, he’s gone a collective 24-for-56 passing, with one touchdown and two interceptions.
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With that, Howell will join the Eagles’ quarterback room likely as QB2. Howell, who was drafted by the Washington Commanders in 2022, will land with the fourth team in his four-year career.
Active day for Eagles
The trade was one of three made by the Eagles on a busy Sunday for the Super Bowl champions. The Eagles reportedly acquired backup offensive tackle Fred Johnson from the Jaguars in exchange for a seventh-round draft pick in 2026, then shipped backup offensive tackle Darian Kennard to the Packers in exchange for a sixth-round selection in 2027.
The Eagles also traded for former Texans wide receiver John Metchie last week.