The Commanders are sending Howell, a fourth-round draft pick and a sixth-rounder to the Seahawks in exchange for third and fifth-round draft choices, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

EDGE Analysis

With Howell no longer in the mix, Washington figures to use the No. 2 overall pick in April's NFL Draft on a new franchise QB. Meanwhile, Howell, who started all 17 of the Commanders' regular-season games in 2023, fills the void created by Drew Lock's departure in free agency and gives the Seahawks an alternative to incumbent No. 1 signal-caller Geno Smith.

The Commanders' recent contract agreement with Marcus Mariota suggests Howell may be on the trade block, Greg Auman of Fox Sports reports.

EDGE Analysis

The other interpretation, which seems less likely, is that the Commanders will let Howell compete with Mariota for the starting job rather than drafting a quarterback early this April. The team owns the No. 2 overall pick, with most reports to date suggesting Washington will select either UNC's Drake Maye or LSU's Jayden Daniels. There was a point in 2023 when it looked like the Commanders might have found their franchise QB in Howell, but he then had a 4:12 TD:INT over the final seven games of the regular season while completing only 57.7 percent of his passes for 5.4 yards per attempt. Washington went 0-7 during that stretch. The 2022 fifth-round pick ended up starting all 17 games, but only because backup Jacoby Brissett suffered a hamstring injury in practice shortly after being promoted to the No. 1 spot on the depth chart. Howell should have suitors if the Commanders decide to trade him, given that he has two years left on his rookie contract and averaged 278.3 passing yards and 1.7 TDs over the first 10 games of 2023. That said, the best he can likely hope for is a shot to compete with another player for a starting job.

Howell completed 19 of 27 passes for 153 yards and a touchdown with two interceptions in Sunday's 38-10 loss to the Cowboys.

EDGE Analysis

It was a fittingly rough end to a poor season for Washington, and Howell wraps up his first -- and possibly last -- season as the team's starting quarterback with a 21:21 TD:INT over 17 games, with the interceptions being the most in the NFL. The 2022 fifth-round selection is expected to get serious competition for the starting job in the offseason, likely from whoever the Commanders select with the second overall pick in the 2024 Draft, and Howell is likely to head into Week 1 of next year in the No. 2 spot on the depth chart.

Head coach Ron Rivera said Wednesday that Howell will start Sunday's season finale against the Cowboys, Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

Howell was expected to be benched Week 17 but was pressed into action when Jacoby Brissett suffered a hamstring injury in last Thursday's practice that ultimately resulted in him being inactive for the Commanders' game against San Francisco. The second-year quarterback continued to direct the Washington offense in Brissett's stead, but his struggles continued in the 27-10 loss to the 49ers. Though Howell has a putrid 3:10 TD:INT over his last six starts, Washington will have him finish out the season in a starting role, even if Brissett gains clearance to play against Dallas. Given his poor finish to the season, Howell will likely face competition for the starting role in 2024, but he'll get one more opportunity to help his case Sunday with a strong showing against a motivated Cowboys team that would clinch the NFC East title with a win.

Howell completed 17 of 28 passes for 169 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions in Sunday's 27-10 loss to the 49ers.

EDGE Analysis

After the Commanders announced that Howell would be benched early in the week, he was forced into the starting role with Jacoby Brissett (hamstring) sidelined. He struggled in a tough matchup, averaging only 6.0 yards per attempt while turning the ball over twice. Howell did have positive moments, as he completed three passes of at least 20 yards and also connected with Terry McLaurin for a three-yard touchdown late in the second quarter. It's unclear whether Howell will get the chance to start in Week 18 against the Cowboys, but he has now failed to throw for multiple touchdowns in six straight games.

Howell is slated to start Sunday's game against the 49ers, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

Per Rapoport, Jacoby Brissett (hamstring) is in line to be deemed inactive as the team's third QB following a pre-game workout Sunday. Howell, who was originally on track to give way to Brissett in Week 17, is thus slated to get the start and now represents a fantasy lineup option for those in need of signal-caller help this week.

Howell would start Sunday's game against the 49ers if Jacoby Brissett (hamstring) -- who is listed as questionable -- doesn't play, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

EDGE Analysis

Brissett was added to the injury report Friday due to hamstring tightness. Howell started Washington's first 15 games of the season but was set to move to a backup role after being benched mid-game in each of his last two outings. If Brissett's unable to play, Howell will be back atop the depth chart without missing a start, though the second-year pro is unlikely to bounce back against the tough 49ers defense after posting a 2:8 TD:INT over his last five starts.

Commanders head coach Ron Rivera said Wednesday that Howell won't start Sunday's game against the 49ers, with Jacoby Brissett set to lead Washington's offense moving forward, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

Howell has started each of Washington's first 15 games, but he's unraveled over the last three outings. In losses to the Dolphins, Rams and Jets, Howell has been pulled early in favor of Brissett on two occasions and completed just 29 of 71 attempts (40.8 percent) for 285 yards (4.0 YPA) while throwing for one touchdown against four interceptions and taking five sacks. Brissett, meanwhile, nearly led the Commanders to a come-from-behind win after entering in the third quarter of this past Sunday's 30-28 loss to the Jets, and the coaching staff now looks ready to give him a look in the starting role for the final two games of the season. Unless Howell is used off the bench, he'll finish the 2023 campaign with a 63.2 percent completion rate for 6.5 YPA and a 19:17 TD:INT to go with 265 rushing yards and five scores on the ground.

Howell completed six of 22 passes for 56 yards and two interceptions before being replaced by Jacoby Brissett in the third quarter of Sunday's 30-28 loss to the Jets.

EDGE Analysis

The quarterback's poor play helped put the Commanders in a 27-7 hole at halftime, and after Howell tossed his second INT of the day, coach Ron Rivera benched him for the second straight week. With Brissett having played well both times he's come on in relief, and Howell having been picked off in five straight games with a 2:8 TD:INT during that stretch, Rivera has a full-blown QB controversy on his hands heading into a Week 17 clash with the 49ers.

Howell completed 11 of 26 passes for 102 yards, one touchdown and one interception in Sunday's 28-20 loss to the Rams. He also rushed the ball three times for 22 yards.

EDGE Analysis

Howell turned in his second straight horrific game as a passer, as he was limited to only 3.9 yards per attempt and displayed poor accuracy. One of the few bright spots of the performance came midway through the third quarter on a 19-yard touchdown pass to the back corner of the end zone to Curtis Samuel. Howell was ultimately benched early in the fourth quarter in favor of Jacoby Brissett, though coach Ron Rivera stated after the game that he was protecting his quarterback and that Howell would remain the team's starter moving forward, per Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post.