Seahawks’ Sam Howell Speaks On What He Needs To Improve

The Seattle Seahawks acquired quarterback Sam Howell in a trade with the Washington Commanders earlier this offseason, and Howell understands his role will be a bit different than it was in 2023.

This past year, Howell served as the Commanders’ starting signal-caller, but he struggled, resulting in Washington sending him packing.

Now, Howell will enter 2024 as a backup to Geno Smith, and he knows what he needs to improve upon to get his career back on track.

“Obviously the interceptions, I’ve just got to do a better job,” Howell said, via Brandon Gustafson of Seattle Sports. “There were some times where we were down in some games and I was just trying to be a little aggressive and at times maybe just tried to do a little too much, trying to give us a chance. But I’ve got to be smarter, got to play smarter football, got to play winning football. And at times I was doing it, so just doing it at a more consistent rate. And I feel confident about my ability to do that. It’s just a matter of if I get an opportunity I’ve got to go out there and show it.”

Howell led the NFL with 21 interceptions in 2023. He threw for 3,946 yards and 21 touchdowns while completing 63.4 percent of his passes and posting a passer rating of 78.9.

The 23-year-old, who played his collegiate football at the University of North Carolina, was selected by Washington in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL Draft.

He made one start during his rookie campaign.

Smith’s status as the starter is a bit volatile in Seattle at the moment, so if Howell plays his cards right, he may have a chance to get some playing time next season.

But whether or not the Seahawks actually view Sam Howell as their potential quarterback of the future remains to be seen.

Seattle went 9-8 this past year.