Home / Sports / Vikings Swap Howell for Wentz in Surprise QB Shuffle
Vikings Swap Howell for Wentz in Surprise QB Shuffle
25 Aug
Summary
- Vikings trade QB Sam Howell to Eagles, sign free agent QB Carson Wentz
- Commanders' 2022 draft picks Sam Howell and Phidarian Mathis released by other teams
- Ron Rivera's personnel moves continue to impact the Commanders
As NFL teams began cutting their rosters on Sunday, August 25th, 2025, some former Washington Commanders players found themselves in the news. The most notable development was the Minnesota Vikings' decision to trade quarterback Sam Howell to the Philadelphia Eagles and sign free agent quarterback Carson Wentz.
Just two years ago, Commanders head coach Ron Rivera had expressed excitement about Howell, touting him as the quarterback the team had been missing in the division. However, the Vikings have now chosen to go with Wentz as the backup to starter J.J. McCarthy, despite Wentz being unsigned earlier this offseason.
Elsewhere, linebacker Jamin Davis, who had been released by the Commanders, was again cut by the New York Jets. Additionally, defensive tackle Phidarian Mathis, a 2022 second-round pick by the Commanders, was also released by the Jets. These moves continue to highlight the questionable personnel decisions made by Rivera during his tenure in Washington.
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The Commanders' 2022 draft class has struggled to make an impact, with Howell being traded away and Cole Turner, selected with the same draft picks, having only 13 receptions in three seasons. Rivera's decision to trade up for Mathis, a player who never lived up to his draft position, has also come back to haunt the team.
As the 2025 NFL season approaches, the ripple effects of Rivera's personnel moves continue to be felt by the Commanders and their fans.
