Geno Smith should be Seattle’s starting QB, ex-Seahawk says

The post-Russell Wilson period in Seattle will make for an interesting quarterback competitors.

There is already a battle set between journeyman Geno Smith and newly acquired Drew Lock that’s positive to warmth up when coaching camp will get underway.

And there may ultimately be one other identify within the combine, too, as Cleveland Browns signal-caller Baker Mayfield has recently been linked to the Seahawks.

Seahawks have ‘high-level of curiosity’ in Baker Mayfield

Seattle Seahawks have reportedly expressed a high-level of curiosity in buying disgruntled Cleveland Browns QB Baker Mayfield.

Free-agent linebacker Ok.J. Wright, who spent the primary 10 seasons of his NFL profession with the Seahawks earlier than becoming a member of the Las Vegas Raiders final season, does not assume it is a notably troublesome choice. He’s assured that Seattle’s finest transfer is transferring ahead with Smith.

“I’ll inform you, not Baker Mayfield. Not Drew Lock. We ain’t gonna play these video games. I’m group Geno all day,” Wright said on “I Am Athlete Tonight” on SiriusXM. “Geno was good. He was scout group quarterback. The dude has a cannon for an arm. He’s mental, you recognize, having these two-minute drills throughout apply all through the week, the person can play. Just belief him, simply belief Geno.

“And what I stated was whoever you resolve to be your starting quarterback, the opposite man has obtained to depart. You can’t have each these guys within the constructing all through the season. Because what’s gonna occur? Let’s say sport three or 4 they’re not taking part in as properly. What are the followers gonna do? … ‘Put the backup in.’ And so to hell with all that, whoever’s the starting quarterback, the opposite man, you’ve obtained to commerce him or lower him.”

A second-round choice by the New York Jets within the 2013 draft, Smith has performed for 4 groups in eight seasons. The 31-year-old performed in 4 video games (three begins) in 2021-22 after Wilson suffered a finger harm. In these 4 appearances, Smith accomplished 68.4% of his passes for 702 yards, 5 touchdowns and one interception. He went 1-2 as a starter.

Smith is 13-21 as a starter in his profession, finishing 59% of his passes for six,917 passing yards, 34 touchdowns and 37 interceptions. He signed a one-year, $3.5 million contract this offseason with Seattle.

Lock was a part of the blockbuster commerce in March that despatched Wilson to Denver. The 25-year-old is 8-13 as a starter in three NFL seasons. He has one 12 months left on his rookie deal at $1.45 million, so it makes sense for the Seahawks to find out what they have in Lock. He has 25 landing passes and 20 interceptions in 21 begins.

Mayfield — the No. 1 total choose within the 2018 NFL Draft — has spent 4 years on the helm in Cleveland, the place he led the Browns to a 29-30 document (1-1 within the playoffs). In 2020, he led the Browns to their first playoff look since 2002 and first postseason win for the reason that 1994-95 season.

Since getting into the league, Mayfield ranks eleventh within the NFL in passing yards (14,125) and twelfth in passing touchdowns (92). He boasts extra wins (29) than all different starting Browns quarterbacks for the reason that 2012 season. Mayfield, 27, is on the lookout for a brand new residence within the wake of Cleveland buying Deshaun Watson from the Houston Texans this offseason, shelling out $230 million within the course of.