According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, the Vikings got Howell for a pick swap, as they sent the No. 142 overall pick in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL draft to the Seahawks for Howell and the No. 172 overall pick in the fifth round.

Though no official announcement will be made at any point in the near future, it’s likely that the Vikings will head into next season with J.J. McCarthy as their starting quarterback and Howell as their backup quarterback.

The Vikings executed that trade on Day 3 of the 2025 NFL Draft, landing a quarterback from Darnold's Seattle Seahawks. According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Vikings traded for quarterback Sam Howell.