Seahawks :quarterback Howell Al Campanis Resigns After Racist Remarks on TV
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith on Thursday dismissed rumors that he will be competing for his starting job with former Washington Commanders signal-caller Sam Howell this fall.
Smith earned a second consecutive Pro Bowl nod last season in his second campaign as the Seahawks’ starter, during which he threw for 3,624 yards, 20 touchdowns and nine interceptions.
Howell most recently threw for 21 touchdowns and 21 interceptions through 17 starts in an up-and-down second season with Washington. He, like Smith, is signed through the 2025 season.
Seahawks general manager John Schneider brought up Howell when asked Tuesday about the team’s future plans at the quarterback position.
“I can’t tell you what our long-term plan is because I honestly don’t know, but Sam is a huge part of it because we made a major trade to get Sam before we got here,” Schneider said, per Seahawks.com’s John Boyle.
That doesn’t mean that Howell will get any starts this fall if Smith is available, however. Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald confirmed in March that Smith will be Seattle’s starter:
Last season Smith played in front of Drew Lock, who struggled in two appearances made in relief. The Seahawks now seem to be hoping they’ve found a more reliable backup in Howell.
The Seattle Seahawks are in a position many NFL aren’t in having two quarterbacks who were full-time starters last year on their 2024 roster.
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Incumbent starter Geno Smith, a two-time Pro Bowler and 2022 NFL comeback player of the year, and third-year QB Sam Howell highlight a room with two capable starters but just one starting position to fill. Smith is the odds-on favorite to reprise his role, but he saw his numbers decline last season after a breakout 2022. Add in the fact that the Seahawks traded draft capital for Howell and had a chance in coaching regimes, including the hiring of new offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb from the UW Huskies, and there’s reason to believe Howell could have a shot at taking the job from Smith.
However, there’s one big advantage Smith brings to the table, which former Seahawks quarterback Brock Huard explained Thursday during Blue 88 on Seattle Sports’ Brock and Salk. Huard pointed towards the presence and leadership qualities Smith brings to field, which he views as a key component under Grubb.
“If I know one thing about (offensive coordinator) Ryan Grubb – and this comes from my nephew’s (ex-UW QB Sam Huard) experience there – he’s very demanding of your presence in a good way,” said Brock Huard, who is also a former UW quarterback. “… You look at the guys that Ryan Grubb has called plays for and coordinated, he wants that captain, he wants that presence, and I think that’s the area where Sam Howell has got to grow the most.”
Smith not only brings a presence in terms of leadership, but he’s shown he can be cool under pressure since taking over the starting job in Seattle in 2022. Despite the statistical decline and missing two games last year, Smith led the NFL with five game-winning drives and four fourth-quarter comebacks. Howell had his moments in the clutch last year, as well. He led two fourth-quarter comebacks and game-winning drives.
