The Seattle Seahawks are returning starting quarterback Geno Smith next season after giving him a new contract ahead of the 2023 season. But that did not stop the Seahawks from bringing in a former starting quarterback as competition this offseason, anyway.
As reported by NFL insider Adam Schefter of ESPN on Thursday, the Seattle Seahawks brought in Sam Howell in a trade with the Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell in a trade with the team.
“Another QB trade: Commanders are sending last year’s starter Sam Howell to the Seahawks in a pick swap, per sources.
Trade:
• Seahawks receive Howell, a fourth-round pick (No. 102), a sixth (No. 179).
• Commanders receive a third (No. 78) and a fifth (No. 152),” Schefter said in a post on X, the social media website that was formerly known as Twitter.
Seattle has long liked QB Sam Howell. Now, with Drew Lock signing with the Giants, Howell can compete with Geno Smith for the Seahawks starting QB job. https://t.co/jN59Iv8LSN
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 14, 2024
And as Schefter points out, Howell is expected to compete with Smith for the starting quarterback job.
“Seattle has long liked QB Sam Howell. Now, with Drew Lock signing with the Giants, Howell can compete with Geno Smith for the Seahawks starting QB job,” Schefter said in a follow-up post.
Obviously, this led to a lot of reactions on social media.
Howell can do WHAT with WHOM for WHAT https://t.co/Q1uIedJzk3
— Benjamin Solak (@BenjaminSolak) March 14, 2024
“Compete” … btw competition is mostly a myth in the NFL. They know who’s starting before the season begins. Very few positions are undeclared heading into camp. https://t.co/a2UkalLK8w
— Geoff Schwartz (@geoffschwartz) March 14, 2024
They liked him so much that they passed on him 6 times in the 2022 NFL Draft. https://t.co/Dki0Zor2h7
— Analytics of Dynasty (@McNamaraDynasty) March 14, 2024
Sam Howell is NOT competing against Geno Smith to start, let's be serious Adam. https://t.co/Z5bsGR2eCz
— Baker Breadman (@NFLonBread) March 14, 2024
This is a good reminder. New regime. Zach Charbonnet can also compete with KW. JSN can compete w/ DK/Lockett. Do not assume same roles or usage in Seattle next year. https://t.co/oBBwg3dKNw
— Heath Cummings (@heathcummingssr) March 14, 2024
Major "Pickett is 'competing' with Russell Wilson" energy https://t.co/qGSDjafgT5
— MinkahBurgh Steelers (@SteelersWin109) March 14, 2024
Howell was the starter for the Commanders for most of last season. It might be a longshot to think he could unseat Smith as the starter in Seattle, but it sounds like he’ll at least be given a chance.
