Former UNC football star heading to another NFC team via trade

Sam Howell is officially on the move.

The Washington Commanders have agreed to a trade that sends Howell to the Seattle Seahawks. Howell will now head to Seattle to compete for the Seahawks' starting quarterback job with Geno Smith.

After being selected in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL Draft, the former UNC football star spent his first two professional seasons in Washington. He took over as the team's starter for the 2023 season and showed some flashes, but struggled down the stretch, as the team attempted to bench him before Jacoby Brissett went down with an injury.

Over 17 games played, Howell threw for 3,946 yards and 21 touchdowns, but also led the league with 21 interceptions. The Commanders had a disappointing season, one that led to a head coaching change this offseason.

With the No. 2 overall pick in the upcoming NFL Draft and a new head coach at the helm, the Commanders decided it was time to move on from Howell. The former Tar Heel will now have an opportunity for a fresh start with another franchise that is in a bit of a transition period of its own.

Howell is one of many quarterbacks on the move this offseason, as the free agent cycle has led plenty of signal-callers to different destinations. Although his move came via trade, Howell gets the opportunity to compete for a franchise that clearly believes he has a lot to offer, as the hope is that he can continue to develop into a franchise quarterback at some point in the very near future.