When the Seattle Seahawks traded for Sam Howell from Washington, it wasn’t just a move to add a young quarterback with potential; it may have also sparked a competition for the starting quarterback position.
Seattle acquired Howell along with a fourth-round pick (No. 102 overall) and a sixth-rounder (No. 179), giving up picks in the third (No. 78) and fifth (No. 152) rounds of the upcoming NFL Draft. While not considered a blockbuster trade, it signifies a significant investment to potentially upgrade the backup quarterback spot.
ESPN’s Brady Henderson suggests that an open competition for the starting quarterback position could be on the horizon between Geno Smith and Howell. Although General Manager John Schneider stated that Smith is “the guy,” there’s a belief within the Seahawks organization that Howell has the talent and determination to challenge Smith for the starting role. One Seahawks source mentioned, “He’ll battle his ass off.”
This sets the stage for what could be an intriguing quarterback battle during the spring and summer months.
Smith, who is set to count $26.4 million against the cap for the 2024 season, is coming off a mixed 2023 campaign where he threw for 3,624 yards with 20 touchdowns and nine interceptions but missed two games due to injury. Despite Seattle’s financial commitment to Smith, they didn’t restructure his contract or extend their commitment beyond the upcoming season.
With new head coach Mike MacDonald in charge, there’s speculation about whether Smith is viewed as the best option for the Seahawks moving forward.
As for Howell, while Washington didn’t see him as their future quarterback and opted to draft one with the No. 2 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, his potential appeal to the Seahawks lies in his competitiveness and the remaining two years on his contract. With his performance last season amidst immense pressure behind a struggling offensive line, there’s a belief that Howell’s skill set and contract situation could make him a compelling option to potentially become the franchise’s long-term quarterback.
