SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – NOVEMBER 12: Sam Howell #14 of the Washington Commanders looks to pass against the Seattle Seahawks during the first quarter at Lumen Field on November 12, 2023 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

The Washington Commanders are giving Sam Howell a fresh start with a rival NFC team

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Commanders are trading Sam Howell and 2024 fourth and sixth-round picks (No. 102 and No. 107 overall) to the Seattle Seahawks in exchange for the No. 78 and No. 152 picks in this year’s draft.

Washington holds the No. 2 selection in the 2024 NFL Draft. They’re expected to take either North Carolina’s Drake Maye or LSU’s Jayden Daniels with the pick, assuming the Chicago Bears use the No. 1 selection on Caleb Williams.

Howell joins a Seattle team that is coming off a second straight 9-8 season. They’re led by starting by quarterback Geno Smith, who signed a three-year extension last year after winning Comeback Player of the Year honor.

The Commanders drafted Howell in the fifth round (144th overall) in 2022. After spending his rookie year as a backup behind Taylor Heinicke, Howell took over as Washington’s starting QB in his sophomore year.

He lost 13 of 17 starts, completing 63.4 percent of pass attempts for 3,946 yards and 21 touchdowns and as many interceptions. Howell also took a league-leading 65 sacks last season.