According to ESPN’s Brady Henderson, Geno Smith’s position as the Seattle Seahawks’ starting quarterback may have some competition in 2024 after the team signed Sam Howell.
Henderson stated that a source within the Seahawks organization feels Howell has the ability and determination to compete with Smith for the starting position. The insider expressed confidence that Howell will make a good effort in the competition.
This situation is similar to the one surrounding Seattle’s purchase of Drew Lock in 2022 as part of the Russell Wilson trade. Initially, there was conjecture that Lock could overtake Smith in Wilson’s absence. Smith, on the other hand, not only preserved his starting spot, but also won the Comeback Player of the Year title.
Nonetheless, the circumstances this time are slightly different. Pete Carroll’s retirement and the hiring of Mike Macdonald as head coach signified the start of a new era for the Seahawks, potentially signifying a shift toward a more forward-thinking strategy under general manager John Schneider.
While Smith is coming off two consecutive Pro Bowl berths, his performance has dipped slightly in 2023. His completion percentage, yardage per game, and QBR were all marginally lower than the previous season.
If Smith’s performance continues to decline in the coming season, Macdonald may be less eager to keep him as the starter than Carroll. According to Jeff Howe of The Athletic, the Seahawks have long been interested in Howell’s potential.
Furthermore, teams like the Seahawks have been drawn to Howell’s ability to move into a starting job with little experience while handling a high volume of passes.
The Seahawks’ choice to acquire Howell, a 2022 fifth-round pick, indicates that they see him as a potential QB1 in the short and long term.
New Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald names Geno Smith starting QB
Mike Macdonald, the new Seahawks head coach, has officially designated Geno Smith the starter.
On Saturday, Macdonald told NFL Media’s Tom Pelissero that he does not see a quarterback rivalry between Smith and Sam Howell.
“I don’t,” Macdonald replied. “I talked with Geno about it. I am quite confident in Geno. Geno is going to be our starting. Sam understands that he will be our backup, but he is a fantastic young player with a very promising future that we believe in.”
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