In the 2024 NFL Draft, the Washington Commanders are predicted to select a quarterback with the second overall choice. The Commanders will be able to choose from at least two of Caleb Williams, Drake Maye, and Jayden Daniels at No. 2. After Sam Howell’s successful season, other teams may be considering adding the Commanders quarterback to their roster. The Minnesota Vikings are one of the most logical landing locations.
In addition to having just recovered from an Achilles injury, Kirk Cousins’ impending free agency puts the Vikings in a difficult preseason situation. If they are unable to locate a quarterback, they may choose to move Justin Jefferson, among other options. But Howell can give them a shot the next season, and it would be far less expensive to contract him than to re-sign Cousins. Minnesota Vikings of Fox Sports claims that Howell is valuable to the league.
Howell, what about him? The 23-year-old, who started 17 games last season and passed for 3,946 yards and 21 touchdowns (although with an NFL-worst 21 interceptions), is reportedly of interest to many teams in a trade. If they determine they’re willing to move him sometime around the draft, they might be able to obtain a third-round pick for him—possibly even more.
According to Spotrac, the Minnesota Vikings free agent in Cousins has a market value of $118.1 million. Cousins is predicted to land a three-year deal that will pay him an average salary of $39.3 million contract.
That’s a major difference between Howell, who has a base salary of $985,000 next season. Howell also has a cap hit of just $1.075 million. That could be another factor in the Washington Commanders keeping him around as there aren’t many quarterbacks at that price that can produce the way he has.
As for the Vikings, Cousins has been predicted to leave in free agency by multiple insiders. According to Dallas Robinson of Pro Football Network, he believes Cousins will sign with the Atlanta Falcons
