The Seattle Seahawks were expected to make a big splash were they parted with Russell Wilson in 2022. Instead, then-head coach Pete Carroll said he had the replacement in-house – veteran journeyman Geno Smith.
Smith was a pleasant surprise in 2022, throwing for almost 4,300 yards and 30 touchdowns. He took a backward step in 2023, dropping to 20 touchdown passes in 15 games. With Carroll gone, the loyalty to Smith isn’t as strong and the Seahawks showed that by swinging a trade with the Washington Commanders to acquire Sam Howell, who started every game last year.
For now, it is Smith’s starting job to lose, but the front office has made it clear that there is a succession plan in place.
Geno Smith
Smith’s numbers dropped last season, but it can’t all be blamed on him. Seattle lost both starting tackles in the opener and had other injuries across the offensive line that forced the team to be mixing and matching starters all season.
The Seahawks reworked the contract they gave Smith in 2023 to give him the assurance that he would be the starter in 2024, but makes it much easier for the organization to move on after this season if Smith struggles. That kind of pressure either motivates a player to prove himself again or can shatter one’s confidence.
Smith will need to revert to the form he had in 2022 to avoid 2024 being his last season in Seattle.
Sam Howell
Howell got his opportunity last year in his second NFL season, starting all 17 games and finishing with 3,946 yards passing with 21 passing touchdowns, five rushing touchdowns, and a league-worst 21 interceptions.
Due in part to Howell’s struggles, Washington landed the second pick in the draft and used it on quarterback Jayden Daniels – opening the door to ship Howell out of D.C.
Howell made far too many mistakes, throwing at least one interception in 10 of his last 11 games. At 23, he has a lot of football left in front of him, and Seattle may be his best opportunity to compete for a starting spot – but probably not this year, barring injury.
Fantasy football outlook
Neither Smith nor Howell has a ton of fantasy value, despite having one of the most impressive wide receiver groups in the league with DK Metcalf, Tyler Lockett and Jaxon Smith-Njigba. All of them caught more than 60 passes and can pressure defenses downfield.
There remains a lack of confidence that Smith, who was a backup for seven years before getting a second lease on his NFL life. He struggles against elite defenses and provided a lot less as a runner in 2023.
It’s a new world for Seattle’s offense with the arrival of offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb, who oversaw one of the most explosive passing offenses at the University of Washington the last two years. He brings a fresh set of eyes and could make some big decisions that will impact Smith and Howell.
Smith is a mid-level QB3 in a 10-manager setting, which will likely have him undrafted in many leagues, and he’s going, on average, as QB23 overall in 12-teamers. However, someone has to get the ball to Metcalf, Lockett and Smith-Njigba – all of whom will be drafted as lineup regulars.
Whoever ends up starting will have fantasy value only if there are injuries to other quarterbacks that require hitting the waiver wire.
