Vikings trade Howell to Eagles, sign Wentz to back up McCarthy

The Minnesota Vikings on Sunday reshaped their quarterback room, trading Sam Howell to the Philadelphia Eagles and signing veteran quarterback Carson Wentz to serve as the primary backup to starter J.J. McCarthy. The moves, announced over the weekend, came as the Vikings finalized roster decisions less than two weeks before the regular season opener.

Minnesota received a 2026 fifth round pick and a 2027 seventh round pick from Philadelphia in exchange for Howell and a 2026 sixth round pick, according to multiple reports. The Vikings also confirmed they had reached terms with Wentz a day after he worked out for the team. Wentz spent the 2024 season as the backup to Patrick Mahomes in Kansas City and appeared in three games, completing 12 of 19 passes for 118 yards.

Howell, a 2022 fifth round pick who started 17 games in 2023, had been acquired by the Vikings in April after a brief stint with Seattle. He struggled to secure consistent reps in Minnesota’s preseason and ceded second team work to Brett Rypien and undrafted rookie Max Brosmer. Howell had played in two games for the Seahawks last season. The trade marks the third time Howell has been dealt in his young career.