Vikings trade Sam Howell to Eagles, sign Carson Wentz

Minnesota has shaken up its quarterback room.

Aug 16, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Howell (8) throws a pass against the New England Patriots during the first quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images | Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images

The Vikings are trading quarterback Sam Howell and a 2026 sixth-round pick to the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for a 2026 fifth-round pick and a 2027 seventh-round pick. In a subsequent move, they've signed veteran quarterback Carson Wentz.

Trade! The #Vikings are trading QB Sam Howell to the #Eagles, per me and @TomPelissero.

It’s a 5th in 2026 and 7th in 2027 to MIN, while PHI Howell and 6th in 2026. Minnesota, which recently hosted Carson Wentz on a visit, now has a QB opening. And Philly gets more QB depth. pic.twitter.com/LSLeYhMRPg

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 24, 2025

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After acquiring Howell from the Commanders via trade during draft week, he had an up-and-down preseason. Undrafted free agent (UDFA) rookie Max Brosmer outperformed him, so Minnesota has now made a change in its quarterback room.

After trading Sam Howell to the Eagles, the #Vikings have agreed to terms with Carson Wentz. He’s their new veteran backup, after his workout with the team yesterday.

— Ben Goessling (@BenGoessling) August 24, 2025

Both moves could mean Brosmer has earned a spot on the 53-man roster, but Brett Rypien could also factor in. Wentz last played with the Chiefs in 2024 and the Rams in 2023, so he'll now give Minnesota another veteran backup with starting experience.

Signs point towards the team wanting to keep Brosmer as a reserve over Rypien, but having your top quarterbacks with zero starting experience is a recipe for disaster. The Howell experiement clearly did not work, but Minnesota was able to still recoup some draft capital. Wentz has only started two games since 2022, but he immediately becomes a veteran pressence in the Vikings' quarterback room.

The Vikings have now acquired a 2026 fifth-round pick, 2026 sixth-round pick, 2027 sixth-rounder and 2027 seventh-rounder via trade in the last week to presumably use as ammo to acquire a veteran wide receiver before Week 1 against the Bears.