When the Los Angeles Rams signed Jimmy Garoppolo to back up 36-year-old starting quarterback Matthew Stafford, one could say it was the team’s Plan B.
According to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo, the Rams had another QB in their sights: former Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell, who was sniped right out from under them by division-rival Seattle.
“The [Seahawks] outbid the Rams, who I know that there was a strong feeling on the Rams coaching staff that they wanted Sam Howell badly,” Garafolo told the “Puck Sports” podcast. “They really liked him, so the Seahawks were able to outbid them. So that’s good, you got him and you also kept him away from a team that really could have used him as a potential successor.”
Howell eventually landed with the Seahawks along with 2024 fourth- and sixth-round picks (No. 102 and 179 overall) in exchange for 2024 third- and fifth-round picks (No. 78 and 152 overall).
It’s not known what the Rams were offering the Commanders, but it presumably wasn’t more appealing than the third-rounder they got from Seattle.
Howell threw for 3,946 yards, 21 touchdowns and 21 interceptions last season and was sacked a league-high 65 times. He finished 12th in passing yards and tied for 15th in touchdown passes despite playing behind arguably the worst offensive line in the NFL.
The 23-year-old would have been the perfect cost-effective option to fill a need for L.A. — a cheap heir apparent to Stafford, who’s missed 10 games over the last two seasons with various injuries.
Howell will begin training camp as the Seahawks’ backup to Geno Smith, but some believe there’s a legitimate chance he will push Smith for the starting job heading into the season.
