It became painfully obvious as the preseason went on that Sam Howell was not going to be the Minnesota Vikings backup quarterback. Despite having previously operated in a starting capacity, he looked awful .
On the flip side, former Minnesota Gophers starter Max Brosmer has the NFL world buzzing due to his performance in the same time span. It was always going to be a leap for him to be the backup out of the gate. He's definitely earned a roster spot.
When Minnesota shipped Howell out , there was just a little extra hilarity on the back-end of the transaction.
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Lewis Cine loses roster spot for former Minnesota Vikings QB
On Saturday Kevin O'Connell had veteran quarterback Carson Wentz in for a workout. Things obviously went well and the Minnesota Vikings signed him to the active roster. The Philadelphia Eagles jumped at a chance to grab Howell, and it cost former Vikings first round pick Lewis Cine a job.
We have agreed to acquire QB Sam Howell and a 2026 6th-round pick from the Vikings in exchange for a 2026 5th-round pick and a 2027 7th-round pick. We have waived/injured DB Lewis Cine. pic.twitter.com/EXb7p6tCyq
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) August 24, 2025
Howell was originally acquired during the NFL Draft in a trade with Seattle . The got him for nothing more than a late-round pick swap. Now they have pieced him out for better draft compensation than he cost them, and Howell isn't their problem.
Cine was drafted 32nd overall by Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and the Vikings in 2022. The Vikings famously, and terribly, traded back rather than drafting multi-time All-Pro Kyle Hamilton . Cine played just 10 total games for Minnesota, and his career was altered by a gruesome injury suffered in London against the New Orleans Saints .
Even had the Vikings not traded back, the pick was always a weird one. The Georgia safety was seen as more of a hitter and less of a capable defender in the secondary. With Buffalo last year, and the Philadelphia in the postseason, he never started a game and has a single tackle to his credit.
The #Eagles have waived/injured DB Lewis Cine
He was reportedly on crutches after Friday's game
pic.twitter.com/AwLsOxYWSJ— Eagles Nation (@PHLEaglesNation) August 24, 2025
Cine did pick off a pass in the Eagles preseason finale, but apparently suffered an injury at some point as well.
Related: Minnesota Vikings Trade One QB, Sign Another
At 25 years old, things are getting late early for Cine. He hasn't developed into any more of a capable talent as his career has gone on. Now he's cut again for a retread backup, and Cine remains a consistent injury concern.
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