According to ESPN’s Brady Henderson, Geno Smith’s position as the starting quarterback for the Seattle Seahawks may encounter a challenge in 2024 following the team’s addition of Sam Howell.
Henderson highlighted information from a source within the Seahawks organization, who believes Howell possesses the necessary skills and determination to compete with Smith for the starting role. The insider expressed confidence that Howell will present a formidable challenge in the competition.
This situation draws parallels to Seattle’s acquisition of Drew Lock in 2022 as part of the Russell Wilson trade. Initially, there were speculations that Lock could potentially surpass Smith in Wilson’s absence. However, Smith not only retained the starting position but also earned the Comeback Player of the Year award.
However, the circumstances this time differ somewhat. The departure of Pete Carroll and the appointment of Mike Macdonald as head coach heralded a new era for the Seahawks, indicating a potential shift towards a more forward-thinking approach under general manager John Schneider.
Despite Smith’s back-to-back Pro Bowl appearances, his performance saw a slight decline in 2023, with lower completion percentages, yards per game, and QBR compared to the previous year.
Should Smith’s performance continue to decline in the upcoming season, Macdonald might be less inclined to maintain him as the starter compared to Carroll. According to Jeff Howe of The Athletic, there has been long-standing interest within the Seahawks organization regarding Howell’s potential.
Furthermore, teams like the Seahawks have been intrigued by Howell’s capacity to step into a starting role with minimal experience and manage a high volume of passes.
The Seahawks’ decision to acquire Howell, a 2022 fifth-round pick, suggests that they view him as a potential QB1 in both the short and long term.
