Back in 2022, Sam Howell wondered if he might end up a Seahawk.
Howell spent time with then Seahawks quarterbacks coach Dave Canales in the pre-draft process and thought he might find a home in Seattle. Instead, Howell was drafted by Washington in the fifth round, and went on to become the Commanders' starting quarterback last season.
But after a trade this week, which was finalized Friday with Howell arriving in Seattle and passing a physical, the Seahawks acquired Howell two years after they first showed interest in the quarterback from North Carolina.
"I spent a lot of time with (Canales), and we had a really good relationship," Howell said Friday. "I thought this was a team I might come to do, but I didn't. But I'm here now, and I'm excited to be here and excited to be a Seahawk."
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With Washington holding the No. 2 overall pick and widely expected to select a quarterback, Howell knew a trade was possible, and once that appeared to be the likely scenario for him, he had Seattle high on his list of preferred destinations.
"I was excited," he said of the trade. "Once I figured out that me being traded was a possibility, this was one of the teams that I kind of had circled and was hoping for. I'm just very happy to be here, very thankful to John (Schneider) and to Mike (Macdonald) for giving me this opportunity. I'm just ready to go to work."
Howell gives the Seahawks a young, talented and experienced quarterback—he is still only 23 and started all 17 games last season—to back up Geno Smith, and Howell is excited to get to work with Seattle's Pro Bowl quarterback.
"I've got a lot of respect for him, he's a heck of a football player, and he's had a good career," Howell said of Smith. "He's battled through some adversity and come out on the other side, so I definitely have a lot of respect for what he's done throughout his career, and I think the world of him as a player."
Seahawks fans probably remember Howell for his impressive performance in the Commanders' Week 10 loss to the Seahawks, a close game in which he completed 29 of 44 passes for 312 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions, a performance that included two impressive touchdown passes in the fourth quarter that twice tied the score.
For Seahawks fans who might have missed that game, Howell describes himself as "a tough competitor, a guy who's going to do whatever it takes to help his team find a way to win a football game. I don't really care much about who gets the credit or how we do it as long as we get it done. I take a lot of pride in being a good teammate and being good for the locker room, and I'm going to give this team all I've got."
And having experienced a dramatic finish as an opposing quarterback at Lumen Field, Howell is excited to have that fanbase on his side going forward.
"Man, it's the loudest thing I've ever heard," he said. "It was a close game in the fourth quarter, we were down one touchdown and had the ball in the fourth quarter, and we couldn't hear anything. We had to burn two timeouts just so I could get a play from the sideline. You definitely don't want to be the visiting team, so I'm happy to be on the home sideline now. It's definitely the toughest place to play in the league, and I'm just happy I'm on the right side of it now."
The Seahawks agreed to a trade for quarterback Sam Howell from the Washington Commanders on March 14, 2024 pending a physical. Check out some of the best photos of Howell throughout the years.
North Carolina quarterback Sam Howell passes against South Carolina in the first half of an NCAA college football game in Charlotte, N.C., Saturday, Aug. 31, 2019. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)
North Carolina quarterback Sam Howell awaits snap against South Carolina in an NCAA college football game in Charlotte, N.C., Saturday, Aug. 31, 2019. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)
North Carolina quarterback Sam Howell (7) prepares to pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Miami in Chapel Hill, N.C., Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019. (AP Photo/Chris Seward)
North Carolina quarterback Sam Howell before an NCAA college football game against Appalachian State in Chapel Hill, N.C., Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019. (AP Photo/Chris Seward)
North Carolina quarterback Sam Howell (7) runs against Appalachian State's Noel Cook (20) and Desmond Franklin (6) during the second quarter of an NCAA college football game in Chapel Hill, N.C., Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019. (AP Photo/Chris Seward)
North Carolina quarterback Sam Howell (7) passes during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Duke in Chapel Hill, N.C., Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)
North Carolina quarterback Sam Howell (7) passes the ball against North Carolina State during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Raleigh, N.C., Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019. (AP Photo/Karl B DeBlaker)
North Carolina quarterback Sam Howell plays against Boston College during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2020, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
North Carolina quarterback Sam Howell (7) passes over Georgia State linebacker Jhi'Shawn Taylor (47) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Chapel Hill, N.C., Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021. (AP Photo/Chris Seward)
North Carolina quarterback Sam Howell (7) looks to pass against Virginia during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Chapel Hill, N.C., Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)
North Carolina quarterback Sam Howell (7) throws from the pocket during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Georgia Tech Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
North Carolina quarterback Sam Howell (7) runs against Florida State during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Chapel Hill, N.C., Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)
North Carolina quarterback Sam Howell (7) runs against Wake Forest during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Chapel Hill, N.C., Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)
American Team quarterback Sam Howell of North Carolina runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2022, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
American Team quarterback Sam Howell, of North Carolina, throws a pass during the first half of an NCAA Senior Bowl college football game, Saturday, Feb. 5, 2022, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
North Carolina quarterback Sam Howell runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine, Thursday, March 3, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
North Carolina quarterback Sam Howell runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine, Thursday, March 3, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell throws the ball during Rookie Mini Camp practice at the team's NFL football training facility, Friday, May 6, 2022 in Ashburn, Va. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell (14) works during practice at the team's NFL football training facility, Wednesday, July 27, 2022 in Ashburn, Va. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell passes against the Cleveland Browns during the first half of a preseason NFL football game on Friday, Aug. 11, 2023, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell runs with the ball as Baltimore Ravens safety Geno Stone comes in for the tackle during the first half of an NFL preseason football game ,Monday, Aug. 21, 2023, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell throws a pass during the first half of an NFL preseason football game between the Washington Commanders and the Baltimore Ravens, Monday, Aug. 21, 2023, in Landover, Md. The Commanders won 29-28. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell (14) throws the ball during the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell (14) throws during an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, September 10, 2023 in Landover, Maryland. (AP Photo/Daniel Kucin Jr.)
Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell (14)scores a touchdown during an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, September 10, 2023 in Landover, Maryland. (AP Photo/Daniel Kucin Jr.)
Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell (14) drops back to pass against the Denver Broncos during an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Washington Commanders offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy, right, talking with quarterback Sam Howell (14) before the start of an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell (14) warms up before an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, Oct. 1, 2023, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Washington Commanders' Sam Howell plays during an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 1, 2023, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell (14) in action during the NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Oct. 1, 2023, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell (14) looks to pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears, Thursday, Oct. 5, 2023, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell (14) throwing the ball during the first half of an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears, Thursday, Oct. 5, 2023, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell (14) walking off the field at the end of an NFL football game against Chicago Bears, Thursday, Oct. 5, 2023, in Landover, Md. Chicago won 40-20. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)
Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell passes against the New England Patriots during an NFL football game at Gillette Stadium, Sunday Nov. 5, 2023 in Foxborough, Mass. (Winslow Townson/AP Images for Panini)
Seattle Seahawks linebacker Boye Mafe, left, pressures Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell, right, on a throw during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 12, 2023, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell (14) throws against the Seattle Seahawks during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 12, 2023, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell (14) runs with the ball during an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Nov. 12, 2023 in Seattle. The Seahawks won 29-26. (AP Photo/Ben VanHouten)
Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell throws a pass for a touchdown with Seattle Seahawks linebacker Darrell Taylor defending in the second of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 12, 2023, in Seattle. The Seahawks won 29-26. (AP Photo/ John Froschauer)
Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell (14) runs during an NFL football game against the New York Giants, Sunday, November 19, 2023 in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Daniel Kucin Jr.)
Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell, middle right, runs for a touchdown against Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons (11), safety Markquese Bell, middle left, and defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence (90) during the first half of an NFL football game Thursday, Nov. 23, 2023, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell (14) passes against the Dallas Cowboys during the first half of an NFL football game Thursday, Nov. 23, 2023, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Sam Hodde)
Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell (14) is seen during an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys, Thursday, Nov. 23, 2023, in Arlington, Texas. Dallas won 45-10. (AP Photo/Brandon Wade)
Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell, foreground, scrambles away from Miami Dolphins linebacker David Long Jr. (51) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 3, 2023, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell (14) drops back to pass during an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins Sunday, Dec. 3, 2023, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell (14) makes a pass during an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, December 17, 2023 in Inglewood, Calif. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell (14) looks to make a pass during an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, December 17, 2023 in Inglewood, Calif. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell (14) runs with the ball during an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Dec. 17, 2023, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)
Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell (14) passes against the New York Jets during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell (14) and teammates taking the field members before the start of the first half of an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2023, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell (14) throws during an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers, Sunday, December 31, 2023 in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Daniel Kucin Jr.)
Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell (14) throws the ball against the Dallas Cowboys during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 7, 2024, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell (14) throws the ball during the first half of an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys, Sunday, Jan. 7, 2024, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Jessica Rapfogel)
