The Minnesota Vikings are in the final stages of preparation for the 2025 NFL Draft, which begins Thursday night. As the countdown continues, the front office—led by general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah—is busy conducting simulations and exploring every scenario to ensure they’re ready for whatever unfolds during the three-day event.
The Vikings currently hold the No. 24 overall pick, but with only four selections total—the fewest in the league—they’ve been widely pegged as a prime candidate to trade back and accumulate more draft capital, assuming the right offer presents itself.
Once the draft wraps up on Saturday, April 26, attention will quickly shift to Monday, April 28 at 3 p.m. CDT. That’s when NFL teams can sign free agents without those additions affecting the 2026 compensatory pick formula. For the Vikings, this date marks the start of a potential second wave of roster-building—particularly in their search for a veteran quarterback.
Quarterback Still a Top Need
Regardless of how things shake out in the draft, Minnesota will still be in need of an experienced signal-caller. While drafting a developmental QB is an option, the franchise is still expected to pursue a seasoned veteran—likely through free agency or a trade. Should they opt for the free-agent route, that process will begin after April 28 to preserve their future comp picks.
However, if the Vikings pursue a quarterback via trade before then, it wouldn’t count against that formula. That context makes the recent report by ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler even more interesting: the Seattle Seahawks are reportedly open to trading backup quarterback Sam Howell and have already fielded inquiries from other teams.
Could Sam Howell Be the Answer in Minnesota?
Despite being just 24 years old, Howell already has three years of NFL experience, including 17 starts with Washington in 2023. Although his stats are a mixed bag—404 completions on 645 attempts (62.6%) for 4,139 yards, 22 touchdowns, and 21 interceptions—he plays with the kind of aggressive mindset that head coach Kevin O’Connell tends to favor in his quarterbacks.
Although there’s been no official confirmation from the Vikings’ brass, multiple reports suggest the team has genuine interest in Howell. Vikings beat reporter Kevin Seifert recently stated that the situation “is worth keeping an eye on,” while local insider Darren Wolfson has gone a step further, expressing strong belief that Minnesota is seriously considering Howell as a trade target.
During a recent segment on the Mackey & Judd Show, Wolfson refuted the notion that Howell isn’t a fit in O’Connell’s system, saying he “absolutely would not rule out Sam Howell” as an option and would “key in” on the former Tar Heel as a possible addition.
Other Options: Aiden O’Connell in the Mix?
Wolfson also floated the idea that the Vikings could pursue Las Vegas Raiders backup quarterback Aiden O’Connell—another young arm who might appeal to O’Connell’s quarterback preferences. That raises questions about whether the team might be more focused on trading for a high-upside backup now, then developing them into a potential starter in the coming years.
With just four picks in this year’s draft, the Vikings likely won’t be willing to part with more 2025 capital. However, a creative trade package—possibly involving future draft picks in exchange for Howell and a mid-to-late-round selection—could give them both a young quarterback and help replenish this year’s draft haul.
Final Thoughts
As the Vikings prepare for Thursday’s first-round action, the quarterback conversation remains central to their offseason strategy. Whether they pull the trigger on a draft-day QB, make a post-draft trade, or wait until after April 28 to sign a veteran, one thing is clear: Minnesota is far from finished building its 2025 roster, and the quarterback room is still very much in flux.
Keep an eye on names like Sam Howell and Aiden O’Connell, as the Vikings continue to explore every path forward in what is shaping up to be a pivotal offseason.
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