You Won't Believe Who Almost Replaced Washington's Starting Quarterback
By 813 Staff
League sources confirm to 813 Morning Brief that the recent social media nostalgia for quarterback Sam Howell’s 2025 season in Washington has a direct, tangible link to the current trade chatter surrounding the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The throwback clip circulated by MLFootball (@MLFootball), highlighting Howell’s explosive performance against the Eagles that year, isn’t just a random memory. It’s a reminder of the tantalizing potential that has several quarterback-needy teams, including the Bears and Seahawks, quietly inquiring about his availability this offseason. The front office has been quietly gauging the market for the former fifth-round pick, understanding his value may never be higher as he enters the final year of his contract backing up Baker Mayfield.
The situation is a classic case of NFL asset management. Howell, who threw for over 4,000 yards and 26 touchdowns in his lone full season as a starter in Washington, provides the Buccaneers with a luxury few teams possess: a proven, young, and inexpensive backup with legitimate starting experience. However, those close to the situation say the calculus is shifting. With Mayfield firmly entrenched as the franchise quarterback after his new deal, and the Bucs facing persistent cap constraints and roster holes elsewhere, converting Howell into draft capital is becoming an increasingly logical move. The team has done its due diligence on this year’s quarterback draft class, a sign they are preparing for all scenarios.
Why this matters now is all about timing and leverage. Howell’s contract is team-friendly for any potential suitor, and his tape shows a player who can compete for a starting job in the right system. For the Bucs, a Day 2 draft pick could immediately address a pressing need at edge rusher or along the offensive line. The risk, of course, is moving a known commodity and leaving the quarterback room dangerously thin behind Mayfield, a player known for his physical style of play. It’s a gamble General Manager Jason Licht must weigh carefully.
What happens next will depend on the offers that materialize around the draft. The Bucs are not in a position where they must trade Howell, so they can afford to be patient. League sources indicate they will likely set a firm price—believed to be a third-round pick, possibly with a conditional late-round swap—and wait to see if a team gets desperate during the draft’s second night. The uncertainty lies in whether another team meets that valuation, or if the Bucs ultimately decide the security Howell provides is worth more than the potential draft return. Either way, the throwback clips serve as a handy audition tape circulating the league, and the Bucs are very much open for business.
