Last month, following the acquisition of Sam Howell from Washington, there was speculation that the Seahawks would have a quarterback competition in 2024. However, head coach Mike Macdonald and president of football operations John Schneider quickly dispelled such talk, affirming that Geno Smith remains the team’s starter with Howell serving as the backup.
“Geno’s our guy,” Schneider stated at the league meetings last month.
In his first public comments since the end of the 2024 season during a news conference at the VMAC on Wednesday, Smith expressed his approval of the trade for Howell, emphasizing that Howell’s arrival won’t alter his approach as the team’s starting quarterback for his third year, having taken over for Russell Wilson.
“New coaching staff, old coaching staff, I’ve got everything to prove,” Smith stated. “That’s every day. That’s the way I wake up every day. I’m competing with Sam, I know he’s competing with me. I’m going to compete my butt off. I’m competing with everybody in this building to be the best that I can be, so I really don’t approach it any other way.”
As of now, until another quarterback is added through the draft or free agency, Smith and Howell constitute the entirety of the quarterback room.
“I’m very impressed with Sam,” Smith remarked, reflecting on the Seahawks’ 29-26 victory over Washington last season at Lumen Field, during which Howell threw for 312 yards and three touchdowns. “Even from our game last year, he made some really, really good throws.
Made some incredible plays. I was on the sidelines and he made a little sidearm throw for a touchdown and I was telling Drew (Lock), ‘man, that was pretty sweet.’ Just to get to know him for the first couple of days, you can tell he’s a hard worker.
You can tell he’s competitive and he wants to learn. He asks the right questions in the meeting room, and obviously, he’s a guy who has played games in the NFL and he’s done well. We are still learning each other and still figuring this thing out together. But so far, so good with Sam.”
While speculation about the Seahawks’ quarterback position may persist until the draft is complete, Smith emphasized that there was never a moment this offseason when he doubted he would remain with the Seahawks.
“No, no, not at all,” he affirmed.
Smith’s position on the team was cemented when his contract was restructured, converting a $9.6 million roster bonus into a signing bonus, which allowed for the cap hit to be spread over this year and the next.
While this move reduced his cap hit for this year by $4.8 million, it increased it by the same amount for next year, while granting Smith immediate access to the money instead of contingent upon his roster status following the beginning of the new league year.
Although this adjustment raised the cap hit for 2025, it also means that his future will once again be a topic of discussion after this season. Nonetheless, for the time being, Smith remains in place as the starter.
“It was a way to clear up some cap space, so we can get some more guys,” Smith explained. “Obviously, they guaranteed me money, so that’s good, too. But it was just something that teams do. A lot of guys have done it. It wasn’t really much of a big deal.”
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As Seahawks wide receiver Tyler Lockett concluded his nearly 20-minute news conference on Wednesday, he delivered a lighthearted request to the gathered media, asking them to refrain from writing articles suggesting he could be traded.
While his words were accompanied by a smile, the moment underscored Lockett’s awareness that there had been speculation about his future with the Seahawks during the offseason. This conversation came to an end when he signed a revised two-year contract in March, aimed at reducing his cap hit for 2024 and ensuring his continued presence on the team.
The new deal included an $8 million signing bonus, effectively lowering his cap number by the same amount, and guaranteed $4.466 million in salary for 2024. Additionally, $4 million of his salary was converted into incentives, which would result in a pay cut if not met.
While this adjustment increased his cap hit for 2025 by $4 million, there are no guarantees beyond this year, indicating that Lockett’s future will likely be subject to debate again next year.
Expressing his satisfaction with the agreement, Lockett emphasized his attachment to Seattle, labeling it as home. As the second-highest in franchise history in career receptions (612) and receiving yards (7,994), he acknowledged the business aspect of the NFL but also appreciated the team’s desire to retain him.
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Outside linebacker Uchenna Nwosu, who missed the final 11 games of last season due to a pectoral muscle injury, is now back with the team as the offseason program begins. He anticipates being fully prepared for the start of training camp and believes he’s just a few weeks away from resuming football activities.
Nwosu has spent the offseason rehabilitating in his hometown of Los Angeles, working with John Meyer, who also serves as the chairman of performance health & wellness with the Los Angeles Clippers.
Reflecting on his recovery process, Nwosu expressed eagerness to return to the field and estimated that he’ll be ready to participate in football activities in a few weeks’ time. Despite being the seventh-largest cap hit for the team in 2024, Nwosu is focused on regaining his form and contributing to the Seahawks’ defense.
