The Seattle Seahawks season isn't exactly over. Yes, they've been eliminated from the postseason, but there's still a lot this team can learn about itself. One position that needs some clarification is at quarterback. This is the perfect time to see what Sam Howell can do.
The fact that Seattle will miss the postseason in Mike Macdonald's first year could actually be a blessing. It's not exactly disguised; it's right there for everyone to see. The pressure is off the team to win; all they have to play for is pride. As Macdonald said after the gritty win over the Bears, "That tells me our guys are connected, they're tough, and they're playing for one another. I think that's pretty awesome."
I have to agree; this team does appear to be playing for each other, even if they're not playing particularly well on offense. It would be terrific to beat the Rams and snap the Seahawks' three-game losing streak to their division rivals, but Seattle has more important issues at hand. Geno Smith wants an extension, but it isn't likely that Seattle will grant his wish with a year left on his current deal. We all know what Geno can do after 16 games. It's time to see what Sam Howell can do now.
The Seattle Seahawks need to see if Sam Howell can start in 2025
The Hawks could work out a deal with Smith, sure. But they could also release him and shave a cool $24 million off their cap for 2025. That would leave Seattle with quarterbacks Sam Howell and (at least for the moment) Jaren Hall on the roster. Hall might not even be on the roster in Week 18, let alone next season. So for now, it's Sam Howell.
There's no way to pass off his poor performance against the Packers as anything but disastrous. Howell took 24 snaps after coming in for Smith in the third quarter. He was sacked four times, made five bad throws (per profootballreference.com), and on;y completed five passes for 24 yards. That, dear 12s, is not a good day in anyone's book.
Should Howell have been better prepared? No doubt he should have. But there were definitely some extenuating circumstances in play. When he entered the game with 7:09 left in the third quarter, the Seahawks already trailed 20-3. So Green Bay was in full pass rush mode by that point. They had already sacked Smith three times as part of eight total pressures. So it's not as if the offensive line was in particularly fine form anyway.
So it wasn't exactly the fairest test for Howell. Yes, he got sacked about a gazillion times with the Commanders last season. 65 actually, which is less than optimal. And he threw 21 picks. Both led the league, and neither are categories you want to see in bold type. So admittedly, Howell didn't come in with the greatest resume.
In his defense, he's practiced with the second team all year. God knows Geno Smith isn't always on the same page with his receivers, so why would we expect the backup quarterback to be in any better sync? Howell is going to be on the Seahawks 2025 squad. His cap hit is just $1.1 million next year, so he's not going anywhere.
Give Sam Howell a solid week with the first team
Give Howell the week to practice with the first unit, every practice. We know what Geno Smith can do. What we aren't sure of is what Howell can do with a full week of meaningful prep. If he bombs out inthe first half, so what? Leave him in and see if he can bounce back in the second half. The Seahawks will miss the playoffs win or lose. They'll also have a winning record, regardless of the outcome of the game.
If you remember, the Seahawks had a similar situation with their backup quarterback last year. Drew Lock stepped in for Smith and got two starts. Lock threw two TD passes that day. Nice, but he also threw two picks and was sacked four times en route to a 28-16 loss to the Niners. He looked considerably better the following week with no turnovers, beating the Eagles 20-17.
This Sunday, he looked like the best QB in the league. It took Lock four starts to dial it up for the Giants. Surely, the Seahawks can afford one start to see what Sam Howell can do. Yes, Geno Smith has some pretty big financial incentives at stake this Sunday. He could reap as much as $6 million in bonus money. But the Hawks have more pressing matters at hand, and they could make him whole if they chose to do so. They need Sam Howell under center now to see if he can handle the job in 2025.