SEATTLE — The Seattle Seahawks are acquiring quarterback Sam Howell from the Washington Commanders in a swap of draft picks, the organization confirmed Thursday afternoon.
Seattle is getting Howell and fourth and sixth-round picks from Washington for third and fifth-rounders.
The picks going to the Seahawks are Nos. 102 and 179 and to the Commanders Nos. 78 and 152. That gives Washington six selections in the top 100.
Howell started all 17 games last season for the Commanders and led the NFL with 21 interceptions. He was also sacked a league-high 65 times. Washington signed veteran backup Marcus Mariota and could draft its QB of the future with the No. 2 pick, potentially North Carolina's Drake Maye or LSU's Heisman Trophy-winning Jayden Daniels.
A 2022 fifth-round pick out of UNC, Howell gives Seattle a backup to Geno Smith with 18 professional starts of experience, after Drew Lock left to sign with the New York Giants.