Veteran Viking Silences the Doubters

That man looked the part of a QB2.

Star Tribune‘s La Velle Neal III wrote, “Howell needed Saturday’s performance to remind viewers why the Vikings believe he can capably back up McCarthy. Because practice reports have suggested otherwise.”

“Perhaps Howell just needed to face something other than Brian Flores’ diabolical defense. Even O’Connell suggested that he had not seen that version of Howell until Saturday.”

Here’s some footage:

A Rocky Training Camp

Howell was not stellar at the start of training camp, which began in late July and continued into early August. He just wasn’t.

Every day brought the news of a new interception, heightening the possible need for a QB2 alternative in Minnesota, with free agents like Carson Wentz and C.J. Beathard still looking for employment.

As training camp progressed, however, Howell stabilized, and for about a week and a half, Howell has erased some of his early camp sins. The preseason display felt like a continuation of Howell’s camp reclamation.

Recalling Howell’s 2023 Efforts

Howell is no stranger to mass production. In 2023, before the dawn of the Jayden Daniels era, Howell nearly threw for 4,000 passing yards for the Washington Commanders, complete with 25 touchdowns.

The problem? Howell took too many sacks, holding onto the ball for too long, not unlike Caleb Williams with the Chicago Bears last season.

first preseason game, and Howell has silenced the doubters, putting QB2 anxiety entirely at bay.

More on Howell

Seattle Seahawks-themed media seemed to lament Howell’s transition to Minnesota after the preseason game, even sounding jealous or remorseful.

12thManRising.com‘s Lee Vowell wrote, “In the Seahawks’ first preseason game, Drew Lock faced many of the Las Vegas Raiders’ starters and wasn’t very good at first. He threw a bad interception, ending an otherwise promising drive. He did have a touchdown toss before he left the game, but that was against Vegas backups. Lock finished 12 of 22 for 147 yards with the TD and the pick.”

“Meanwhile, Howell played tremendously for the Vikings in his preseason debut. He didn’t throw a touchdown pass, but did run for one. He also finished 11 of 13 for 105 yards and was under control. Maybe Howell will succeed with Minnesota because of the offensive brilliance of head coach Kevin O’Connell, and Howell was a bad fit in former Seattle offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb’s system. That probably wasn’t Howell’s fault.”

At the time of the draft-day trade, most Seahawks fans had no beef with letting Howell walk.

against the New England Patriots, as head coach Kevin O’Connell will rest most, if not all, of his starters.

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