Three viable quarterback options for the Seattle Seahawks in Week 1 of 2024

One of the bigger questions surrounding this Seattle Seahawks team entering the 2023 regular season was whether or not Geno Smith could replicate the success he had in 2022. Although the numbers wouldn't back that up, he has been one of the bright spots of this team. Once again, this team has been plagued by poor run defense.

Throughout the downfall of this season, the Seahawks' rush defense has been one of the worst in the NFL. Early on, they found success. It was a large part of why they were finding success and even leading the NFC West at one point. The offense wasn't necessarily complimenting the strong defensive play. Rather, finding ways to score at key moments of the game in order to win.

However, when the offense got clicking, the defense regressed. To be fair, the Seahawks' defense has made key plays in the month of December. For example, Julian Love's huge two-interception game against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 15 on Monday Night Football. Or, Dre'Mont Jones' game-sealing sack against the Tennessee Titans in Week 16.

But, when this season is all said and done, I think many will point to the poor defensive play as one of the key contributing factors to why the Seahawks didn't make the playoffs or made the playoffs and got eliminated early.

Seattle Seahawks offseason outlook: Addressing QB1

With all that said, it doesn't mean the Seahawks will not have questions surrounding the quarterback position. Structurally, they have an out from Geno Smith's contract after this season. The questions they will have to ask themselves if they decide to move off him is, who's his replacement?

Of course, early speculation will go to Drew Lock. He did re-sign with Seattle in the off-season and both Pete Carroll and John Schneider have kept no secrets about their belief in him. He was instrumental in keeping the season alive with a huge game-winning drive against the Philadelphia Eagles.

Others may point to the draft and be hopeful of Seattle landing a franchise quarterback in the 1st round. I suggest three options that make the most sense for this team moving forward. Each option reflects a different route. But, each option also presents obstacles along the way.

Option No. 1: Sticking with Geno Smith

Offensively, the Seattle Seahawks are built nicely. They have two young tackles in Charles Cross and Abe Lucas. Two young running backs in Kenneth Walker III and Zach Charbonnet. An explosive wide receiver core in D.K. Metcalf, Tyler Lockett, Jaxon Smith-Njigba - and dare I say, Jake Bobo? Depending on what happens in free agency, a solid tight end group in Noah Fant, Will Dissly, and Colby Parkinson.

They could potentially address wide receiver and tight end through the draft. But, for the most part, their offense is built to suceed. Geno Smith has been a good conductor of this offense over the last two years. In examining 2023, I do not think one can point to Geno Smith as a large reason for the lack of success this team has had. Certainly, the offense has had its struggles. But, what NFL offense hasn't?

Outside of the Baltimore Ravens and San Francisco 49ers, all of the remaining playoff teams have had severe offensive issues at one point of the season. With that said, do the Seahawks believe they have the best shot of making a Super Bowl run with Geno Smith under center? Although he is under contract for two more seasons, the time to decide that would be this off-season.

Obstacle: The structure of Geno Smith's contract

Last off-season, the Seahawks were presented with a unique opportunity. They had their highest draft pick in the Pete Carroll and John Schneider era that could have resulted in a quarterback. But, Geno Smith was coming off a career year. Although I still believe the Seahawks had intentions of drafting Anthony Richardson if he were available, they went with now Pro Bowl CB Devon Witherspoon.

Yes, Geno Smith signed a big contract with the Seahawks before the draft. But, it came with a bunch of caveats. It was essentially another prove-it year deal, at least in year 1 for that matter. His $27.1 million fully guaranteed at signing allowed Geno to secure the bag, but the contract was heavily incentivized for him to replicate his success from the previous season.

While he hasn't hit all of his bonuses, him and the Seahawks are entering a cross roads once this season ends. The potential out on his contract is after this season. If they decide to move off, they would obviously need another quarterback to come in and replace him. If they decide to keep him, they essentially are saying they will ride it out with him for the next two seasons.

A decision that will be weighed heavily I might imagine. The 2024 NFL Draft Class is loaded with quarterback talent. Seattle could go that route, cutting Geno, selecting a QB and building around a cheap contract for 5-years. They could very well decide to keep Geno under center for two more seasons and continually build around him. Or, they can cut him and potentially replace him via trade.

Option No. 2: Trading for Justin Fields

Last year, the Chicago Bears had the 1st overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. With questions surrounding QB Justin Fields, many speculated whether or not they would select either Bryce Young or C.J. Stroud. However, Chicago decided to give Justin Fields another year under his belt and build around him by trading the number 1 overall pick to the Carolina Panthers.

Fast forward a year later, the Chicago Bears once again have the 1st overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft thanks to the deal they made last year with the Carolina Panthers. GM Ryan Poles will once again have to decide whether or not they should move off Justin Fields. This time around, there is a large consensus on who the number 1 overall pick is. Caleb Williams is the closest thing we've seen to Patrick Mahomes.

One important nugget to keep in mind is that Ryan Poles did not draft Justin Fields, so he has no allegiance toward him. While he has been loyal to him, if there was ever a time to move off him, it is now. Similar to Seattle, they will be weighing the option of either paying their quarterback or looking to draft one that will have a cheap contract over the next five years. Of course, the ultimate goal is to build a Super Bowl-contending team and the Bears have the luxury of picking the path that best suits them.

Obstacle No. 1: Draft capital it will take to acquire Justin Fields

In the event Chicago decides to select a quarterback with the number 1 overall pick and move off Justin Fields, what will it take to acquire him?

If Seattle were to be considered a potential suitor for Fields, it would mean they are moving off Geno Smith. Unfortunately, the Seahawks do not have their second-round pick in this draft due to the Leonard Williams trade made with the Giants before the trade deadline. However, they do have two third-rounders.

The issue becomes how hot of a market will Fields have. If multiple teams are interested, chances are Seattle will miss out on him unless they get desperate and offer their first-round pick (which I highly doubt happens). If his market is quiet, Seattle can be a player and get a potential steal of a deal. One of the reasons he might not have a huge market and why Chicago might want to move off him is due to his contract.

Obstacle No. 2: The contract Justin Fields will be seeking

Justin Fields will be entering his 4th season in the NFL. That is around the time quarterbacks start looking for their extension. The first time they can cash out on a big contract might create some cause for concern for other teams. Is Justin Fields worth $200 million? It would only be plausible to think he wants north of $40 million/per year based on what other quarterbacks have been getting.

Is it worth moving off Geno Smith and giving Justin Fields all that money? If he's not the guy, it can handicap this team and their future plans. Or, the Seahawks can trade for him, pick up his 5th year option and give him two years as their starter to prove whether or not he's worth the money while continually building around him.

If Fields is not willing to play without a contract extension, the Seahawks can turn to the draft and go back to what created all their success -- selecting a franchise quarterback.

Option No. 3: Drafting a franchise QB

As it currently stands, the Seattle Seahawks hold the 15th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. That can certainly change, either better or worse, depending on what happens in the final weekend of the regular season. Nonetheless, Seattle will be in a position to select a quarterback if they want to in the first round.

While Pete Carroll and John Schneider have never drafted a quarterback in the 1st round, they have been known to always keep an eye on incoming quarterbacks. With that said it would be reasonable to believe that they will have all hands on deck in evaluating the incoming class. Realistically, Caleb Williams and Drake Maye are out of the picture unless Seattle were to trade up into the top 5, which is not going to happen.

Even the Heisman winner, Jayden Daniels, will be a stretch if the Seahawks were to pick at #15 or higher. Of course, draft stocks are going to continually change based on what happens in the remainder of the college playoffs and pro-days/NFL combine. Both quarterbacks of the championship contending teams, J.J. McCarthy of Michigan and Michael Penix Jr. of Washington, very well might be available in the middle of the first round.

Throughout the draft season in 2023, I discussed how there was only one quarterback who fit what Seattle wanted to do. This year, I can apply the same theory to Michael Penix Jr. An older player coming out of college suffering two torn ACLs can raise cause for concern for many general managers. But, he's a perfect fit for what the Seahawks want to do. He has great poise in the pocket, is an explosive thrower of the football, and might have the best accuracy of any quarterback in this class.

Obstacle: Relying on a rookie to produce immediately

If the Seattle Seahawks were to select Michael Penix Jr., my guess is, they would move off Geno Smith and re-sign Drew Lock to another cheap contract. Given the age of Penix Jr., I think it would be wise for him to start in the NFL immediately. Knowing Pete Carroll and his coaching philosophy, I could see a quarterback competition take place between Lock and Penix Jr. with Penix Jr. ultimately winning the job.

However, history has shown rookie quarterbacks might be better suited to take the first year off and learn from a veteran. In that case, do the Seahawks retain Geno and allow him to mentor Penix Jr.? That could certainly work out given how much Penix Jr. can relate to Geno in their football journeys. I wouldn't necessarily be opposed to that.

But, I think Penix Jr. is the real deal and can come in and produce to the likes of C.J. Stroud and Joe Burrow. When getting drafted, it's not all about the talent you have. Most of the times, your success or failure is completely dependent on where you get drafted and how you fit. In Seattle, with those weapons on the outside and the ability to push the ball down the field accurately, I think Penix Jr. would be shooting a lot of arrows.

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