The Seattle Seahawks have acquired a promising young quarterback in Sam Howell, renowned for his impressive arm strength and fearless approach to the game.
Howell’s skill set bears resemblance to the player he is set to replace on the Seahawks’ roster, stepping in as Drew Lock’s successor as Geno Smith’s primary backup.
General manager John Schneider has expressed admiration for Howell’s playing style, acknowledging his strengths while also acknowledging areas for improvement. Like many young quarterbacks known for their powerful arms, Howell has grappled with ball security issues, evident from his 21 interceptions and league-leading 65 sacks in the 2023 season.
Despite these challenges, Howell remains determined to refine his game and play smarter if given another opportunity to start.
In a recent interview on ESPN Radio Seattle, he highlighted his commitment to addressing these shortcomings.
“The interceptions, I’ve just got to do a better job… There were some times where we were down in some games and I was just trying to be a little aggressive and at times maybe just tried to do a little too much, trying to give us a chance. But I’ve got to be smarter, got to play smarter football, got to play winning football. And at times I was doing it, so just doing it at a more consistent rate. And I feel confident about my ability to do that. It’s just a matter of if I get an opportunity, I’ve got to go out there and show it.”
Drawing parallels to Geno Smith, another quarterback who faced early career struggles, Howell’s journey mirrors that of late-blooming stars who have defied initial doubts to find success in the league.
Comparisons have been drawn between Sam Howell and Baker Mayfield, acknowledging Mayfield’s rollercoaster career trajectory since being drafted first overall. However, like Mayfield’s resurgence with the Buccaneers last season, there’s optimism that the Seahawks can foster similar growth in Howell, making it worthwhile to explore his potential.
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