Eagles acquire QB Howell from Vikings; Minnesota signs Wentz

The Philadelphia Eagles, faced with uncertainty at the backup quarterback spot due to Tanner McKee’s finger injury, took proactive steps on Sunday to address the situation.

Philadelphia acquired QB Sam Howell and a sixth-round pick in 2026 from the Minnesota Vikings for a fifth-round pick in 2026 and a seventh-round pick in 2027. With the addition of Howell, Philadelphia waived quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson.

Without McKee, the only other quarterback on the roster was rookie Kyle McCord, and he clearly would not be ready to play an NFL game if Jalen Hurts were to go down.

In addition, the Vikings signed veteran quarterback and former Eagle Carson Wentz. He is expected to back up second-year quarterback J.J. McCarthy.

Last season, the 24-year-old Howell backed up Geno Smith in Seattle before being dealt to the Vikings in April. The four-year veteran was selected by the Commanders in the fifth round in 2022, and he started all 17 games for the team in 2023.

The 32-year-old Wentz joins the Vikings for his 10th NFL season following stints with the Philadelphia Eagles (2016-20), Indianapolis Colts (2021), Washington Commanders (2022), Los Angeles Rams (2023), and Kansas City Chiefs (2024).

He has started 94 of the 98 games he has played in his nine-year career, completing 62.7% of his passes for 22,410 yards and 153 touchdown passes.

In five seasons in Philadelphia, Wentz started all 68 games he played, passing for 16,811 yards and 113 touchdowns. Before sustaining a season-ending injury in 2017, Wentz led the Eagles to an 11-2 record in the games he started, setting up Philadelphia’s run to its Super Bowl LII victory against the New England Patriots. 

The Eagles begin defense of their Super Bowl title on September 4 against the Cowboys, while the Vikings start the season a few days later on the road against the Chicago Bears.