Commanders trade QB Sam Howell to Seattle

Sam Howell is going to the Seattle Seahawks, a move that gives them a quarterback with experience to pair with starter Geno Smith and upgrades the Washington Commanders’ draft capital.

Seattle is getting Howell and fourth- and sixth-round picks from Washington for third- and fifth-rounders, in a trade completed Thursday and announced by the teams, pending a physical.

Howell also gets a change of scenery after throwing the most interceptions and being sacked the most of any player in the NFL last season.

The picks going to the Seahawks are Nos. 102 and 179 and to the Commanders Nos. 78 and 152. That means Washington has six selections in the top 100, plenty of chances for new general manager Adam Peters to reshape the roster and fill multiple needs, from left tackle to cornerback.

Howell started all 17 games for the Commanders during the 2023 season, threw 21 interceptions and was sacked 65 times behind an offensive line that was ravaged by injuries and poor play. Peters has already released two starters and brought in two potential replacements.

A 2022 fifth-round pick out of UNC, Howell joins the Seahawks after they allowed just 38 sacks last season. He fills the backup role behind Smith after Drew Lock left to sign with the New York Giants.

Moving on from Howell was not surprising after Washington signed veteran backup Marcus Mariota. The team could draft its QB of the future with the No. 2 pick, potentially North Carolina’s Drake Maye or LSU’s Heisman Trophy winner, Jayden Daniels.

Former 49ers DT Arik Armstead agrees to a 3-year, $51 million deal with the Jaguars

JACKSONVILLE, FLA. >> Arik Armstead’s unemployment lasted roughly a day.

The Jacksonville Jaguars agreed to terms with the former San Francisco defensive tackle on a three-year, $51 million contract Thursday, a person with knowledge of the decision said. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because neither side had announced the move.

The 49ers released Armstead to create salary cap space when the new league year began Wednesday. He will now switch coasts and reunite with Jaguars general manager Trent Baalke, who drafted Armstead with the 17th overall pick in 2015.

If he can stay healthy, Armstead should provide a huge addition for a team that ranked 25th in the league last season with 40 sacks. Armstead will be asked to line up between standout pass rushers Josh Allen and Travon Walker and provide the kind of middle push the team has been missing for years.

The Jaguars wouldn’t have been in a position to land Armstead had they brought back receiver Calvin Ridley. But when Ridley agreed to sign with rival Tennessee on a four-year, $92 million deal Wednesday, the Jags had the flexibility to get the 6-foot-7, 290-pound defender.

Armstead had five sacks in 12 games in the regular season in 2023 and added one more in the playoffs. He has 33 1/2 sacks in 116 games in the regular season, and his eight career sacks in the postseason are the second most in Niners history.

The 30-year-old Armstead was hampered by injuries the past two seasons, playing only 21 regular-season games in that span because of injuries to his knee and foot. He played through a torn meniscus in his right knee in the postseason and had surgery after the Super Bowl.