Sam Howell

ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler and Brady Henderson report that “the Seahawks are open to trading Sam Howell and have received inquiries from teams interested in acquiring their backup quarterback.”

In a recent radio appearance, Seahawks GM John Schneider said that the team is prepared to allow Howell and the recently acquired Drew Lock to compete for the primary backup role behind Sam Darnold. Schneider may have been engaging in a bit of public negotiating, though, effectively telling teams to up their offer. Backup QB Jaren Hall currently sits fourth on the depth chart behind them. Head coach Mike Macdonald increased his QB personnel number to three in-season last year, and new OC Klint Kubiak also worked with three rostered quarterbacks as a member of the Saints’ coaching staff last year. While Hall would be the odd man out if no trade materializes, seeing Howell depart via a draft-day trade this week would be unsurprising.