Is Geno Smith or Sam Howell the Seahawks' Starting Quarterback in 2024?

The Seattle Seahawks took a chance on Geno Smith and made him the team's starting quarterback in 2022. Smith led them to the playoffs that year behind a 9-8 record while throwing for 4,282 yards and 30 touchdowns. 

Last year, Smith wasn't as efficient throwing the football, but he still threw for 3,624 yards and 20 touchdowns across 15 games. Seattle came up just short in making back-to-back postseason appearances. Now, with a new head coach, it looks like the veteran will have competition for the starting quarterback job.

Who is Smith's competition? Who will be the Seahawks quarterback in Week 1? Let's dive in and find out.

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Sam Howell Trade Details

At some point this offseason, the Seahawks were going to address their backup quarterback position. Drew Lock signed with the New York Giants, leaving Seattle with just Smith on its roster. That was until they made a surprising move and traded for quarterback Sam Howell.

The Seahawks traded a third-round pick (78th overall) and a fifth-round pick (152nd overall) for Howell, and receive a fourth-round pick (102nd overall) and a sixth-round pick (179th overall). With the Commanders set to take a quarterback with the second overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, the move made sense for them.

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). pic.twitter.com/jCEivnjg9D

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 14, 2024

Howell -- a former fifth-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft -- started all 17 games for the Commanders last season. He threw for 3,946 yards, 21 touchdowns, and 21 interceptions while leading Washington to a 4-13 record.

Who is the Seahawks' Starting QB in Week 1?

Seattle's move for Howell could mean a couple of things for the organization. For starters, it gives Smith some competition for the starting quarterback job. The veteran is still likely the favorite to start for the Seahawks in Week 1, but expect him to have a shorter leash in 2024.

Howell did show some potential last year and threw for over 300 yards in five games, including in Week 8 against the Eagles, where he had 397 pass yards and four touchdowns. Smith struggled in plenty of contests last year, and if that were to continue, the team could decide to make a switch.

The most sensational Sam Howell throws, a thread: pic.twitter.com/P9okOEixId

— NFL Draft Files (@NFL_DF) March 14, 2024

The move also gives Seattle a quarterback option for the future. Smith will be 34 years old in October and is set to become a free agent after the 2025-2026 season. Howell, who is only 23, could immediately step in and take over as the franchise quarterback, assuming the Seahawks see massive improvements over the next couple of years.

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