The Seattle Seahawks have bolstered their quarterbacks group ahead of the 2024 NFL draft. Former Ohio State quarterback Kory Curtis took to X, previously known as Twitter, to announce his upcoming move to Seattle.
“Super grateful for the opportunity to join the @Seahawks. The first step on this journey… Rookie minicamp! #AGTG,” Curtis shared.
While the invitation appears official, Gregg Bell of The News Tribune clarified that Curtis “says he’s agreed to an offer to try out at #Seahawks rookie minicamp after next week’s NFL draft.”
Curtis secured a scholarship to Ohio State but opted to transfer after Justin Fields was named the starter, as reported by The Gannon Knight. Following two years at Bryant University, the 6-foot-3, 235-pound quarterback transferred to Gannon in 2021. In the 2022 season, he amassed 2,879 passing yards and 27 touchdowns, in addition to scoring four rushing touchdowns.
Although Kory Curtis had hoped to hear his name called during the 2023 NFL draft, it didn’t happen. “To be honest, it’s been a little frustrating,” he shared with the outlet. “I was projected in the 6th or 7th round of the NFL draft, but I didn’t get drafted in either round. From there, it’s been an uphill battle.” Consequently, he opted to join The Quad City Steamrollers of the Indoor Football League.
“I decided to sign with them because they were willing to give me an opportunity,” Curtis explained. “Their head coach is close with a lot of NFL guys, and the IFL has a direct link to the XFL, so there’s like a draft for the IFL players.” More recently, he has inked a deal to play with the West Texas Desert Hawks.
Prior to joining the Seahawks, Kory Curtis had a private workout with the Pittsburgh Steelers. SI’s Noah Strackbein reported on the visit, stating, “Teams have been intrigued with his strong arm and D1 background.”
Before the 2023 NFL draft, Gannon head coach Erik Raeburn commented on Kory Curtis’s improvement since transferring to Gannon. “Kory has significantly enhanced his accuracy over the last two seasons,” Raeburn told The Fort Myers News-Press. “In 2021, his completion rate was approximately 51%, and in 2022, it climbed to 65%. This improvement was a result of his dedication to refining his fundamentals and studying film to master our system.”
Following individual workouts with the Miami Dolphins, Houston Texans, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Steelers, Curtis, a Cape Coral native, highlighted his cerebral approach to the game. “One of the things they admired most is my ability to read the game,” Curtis told the outlet. “I frequently made play calls at the line of scrimmage. They appreciated my capability to manage the offense on the field and my ability to extend plays in the pocket.”
After a circuitous journey, Curtis finally secures his opportunity in the NFL with the Seattle Seahawks. Seahawks linebacker Jerome Baker Jr. shared the news on X and commented, “See you brother. 🤞🏾.”
While Pete Carroll previously opted for just two quarterbacks on the roster, it remains uncertain how many quarterbacks new head coach Mike Macdonald prefers as the 2024 NFL season approaches. Currently, quarterback Geno Smith holds the starting position, with Seattle also acquiring quarterback Sam Howell from the Washington Commanders.
“Very confident in Geno,” Macdonald remarked, as reported by NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. “Geno’s going to be our starter. Sam knows he’s going to be our backup, but Sam is a great young player, and he’s got a really bright future that we believe in.”
Despite this commitment to Smith, who will turn 34 in October, analysts across the league speculate that Seattle may select a quarterback in the upcoming 2024 NFL draft. Much of the speculation revolves around former University of Washington standout Michael Penix Jr.
“If Michael Penix watches his name not called on Day 1, you will hear me on the show Friday morning say, ‘Go get Michael Penix,'” remarked former quarterback turned analyst Brock Huard on Seattle Sports. Although the Seahawks hold the No. 16 overall pick in the draft, they do not possess a second-round selection.
“If Penix is available in the second round and the Seahawks have the opportunity, trade next year’s second- or third-round pick,” Huard suggested. “Be aggressive and acquire a player who, from Day 1, would seamlessly integrate into this system and be ahead of the curve.”
