Seahawks Tyler Lockett loves the competition at quarterback

The Seahawks mantra under Pete Carroll has been “Always Compete”. Tyler Lockett believes that competition in the QB room can only help the Hawks this year.

The Seahawks offense will be under the command of a new quarterback for the first time in ten years. Just who will take the reigns is up for debate, near-endless debate. There are plenty of reasons for Geno Smith to get the job. And just as many reasons for Drew Lock to take the reins. Whoever gets the gig, Hawks wide receiver Tyler Lockett is totally on board with the process.

Every single member of the Seahawks is reminded as they leave the locker room that the mantra in Seattle is “Always Compete”. That’s been the case since Pete Carroll arrived in 2010. The Hawks seemed to have lost some of that edge over time, though. This was evident four years ago, and to some extent, that complacency still hung around the team. Sure, there was competition; but was anybody really going to beat out Bobby Wagner or Russell Wilson for their starting gig?

True competition may be just what the Seahawks need

Now don’t get your dander up, 12s. I’m not saying that the Hawks just penciled in a few stars as the starters and ignored the results on the field. Except – you know what? That’s exactly what they did. At least that’s what the coaches did in the case of Russell Wilson after his injury. I doubt you need the reminder, but DangeRuss was anything but that in his first games back last year.

Despite that “Always Compete” sign posted above the entryway to the field, that’s not what the Hawks always did last year. They clearly did not allow competition at the quarterback position when Seattle visited Green Bay.

Geno Smith was only 1-2 in relief of Wilson, but he absolutely had to be better than Russ in practice going into the Packers game. He played well when he came in for Wilson in the Rams game. Seattle scored seven points with Wilson, then ten with Smith.

I can’t argue that Smith lit the world on fire after that, but with the exception of that extremely costly fumble versus Pittsburgh, Geno played well. He was outstanding against the Jaguars in week 8. I know, I know; that’s about the equivalent of beating Our Little Sisters of Mercy flag football team. Jacksonville did beat Buffalo the week after that, though, so they really are an NFL team.

As you all know, Wilson looked nothing like his usual self in his first game back against the Packers. He didn’t even resemble an NFL quarterback. I cannot believe that he looked fine in practice, and then turned in one of his worst performances ever on game day. That simply screams that he said he was ready, and because the coaches trusted him, they let him start. They let him stay in the game even though he never got the Hawks past the Packs 35-yard line in the first half. Clearly, this game and the next two losses were times that Seattle ignored the “Always Compete” mantra.

Happily, the Hawks are back in the competition business. It may have been forced by the trade of Wilson, but it isn’t necessarily a bad thing. As reported by John Boyle on the Seahawks team website, Lockett is not just okay with a new QB. He’s practically giddy about it.

"“It’s something that’s new, but it’s something that’s very interesting to see when it comes to that competitive nature—two people, three people being able to compete for a spot,” he said. “… It’s just that competitive nature that takes you to different places that not having to be competitive doesn’t take you. And so I think it’s just something that’s new, and I think it’s something that’s very interesting. I love to see it, because sometimes we’ve got to remember that this is a business, and business does want that competitive nature. And we do want that competitive edge, but being able to compete each and every day, to sharpen iron with iron, I think that helps us build something truly special.”"

As you’ve no doubt read before, it’s far too early to say who will earn the starting job in Seattle. The Hawks could bring in Baker Mayfield after all, or sign league pariah Colin Kaepernick. Who knows, Jacob Eason could emerge as the offense’s leader. One thing we do know is that true competition is a very good thing.