As the Seattle Seahawks approach the 2025 season, they face a number of critical decisions, particularly regarding their quarterback situation. Geno Smith, who is under contract for the upcoming season, has expressed a desire for a new deal, prompting the team to decide whether he will remain as their quarterback of the future or if a change is necessary. If they opt to move on from Smith, the question then becomes who they should target as his replacement.
One possible candidate is Sam Howell, who stepped in for Smith when he was injured during a game against the Packers. However, Howell had a difficult debut in Seattle, raising doubts about his readiness to take over as the starting quarterback. The alternative might be to select a quarterback in the 2025 NFL Draft. However, this year’s draft class is widely considered to be weak in terms of quarterback talent, making it challenging for the Seahawks to secure a high enough pick to land a top prospect like Shedeur Sanders or Cam Ward. Any other quarterbacks available in the draft would likely require a lot of development, potentially slowing the team’s progress.
An intriguing option for Seattle could be to pursue J.J. McCarthy, a first-round quarterback from last year’s stronger QB class, who may be available for trade. According to reports from Adam Schefter, the Minnesota Vikings are open to trade discussions about McCarthy, who was selected 10th overall in the 2024 draft. Colin Cowherd of FOX suggests that the Seahawks would be an ideal landing spot for McCarthy, particularly given the Vikings’ limited draft capital and their need to bolster their roster in a competitive NFC North division. Cowherd believes that McCarthy could command a substantial draft haul, especially with the Vikings possibly looking to retain Sam Darnold, who impressed during his Pro Bowl season. If the Vikings bring back Darnold, McCarthy could find himself on the bench for another year, making him available for a trade.
For Seattle, acquiring McCarthy would represent a significant commitment to the future. McCarthy, still on his rookie contract, is projected to be much cheaper than Geno Smith, who is slated to have a $38.5 million cap hit in 2025. McCarthy’s contract, which is under $5 million, would provide the Seahawks with a much-needed boost in salary cap space, allowing them to strengthen other areas of their roster, particularly the offensive line. If the Seahawks cut Smith before June 1, they could save $25 million against the cap, while taking on a smaller $13.5 million cap hit, further facilitating roster improvements.
McCarthy, a former top prospect, showed great promise during his college career with Michigan, leading the team to a national title in 2024. He was known for his excellent pocket poise and efficiency, making him one of the top quarterbacks in college football. However, his rookie campaign was marred by a knee injury, limiting his development. Despite this, McCarthy still possesses significant potential, and Seattle could take a chance on him as their long-term solution at quarterback.
There are, however, risks involved in making such a move. First, it would mean parting ways with Geno Smith, who has been a steady leader for the Seahawks both on and off the field. Trading for McCarthy would also represent a leap of faith, as there is no guarantee that he will live up to expectations. If McCarthy fails to develop into the franchise quarterback Seattle hopes for, the team could be set back for years, especially given the draft capital they would have to surrender to acquire him.
Furthermore, the Seahawks’ offensive line has been one of the weakest in the league during Smith’s tenure as the starter, and acquiring McCarthy would place him in the same situation. Even with McCarthy’s potential, the team would need to address the offensive line to give their quarterback the best chance to succeed.
While this trade scenario remains unlikely, the Seahawks are in a position where exploring all quarterback options makes sense. McCarthy could be a valuable asset to a team with a strong roster, but the Seahawks will need to weigh the potential benefits against the risks, especially in terms of their ability to address other needs in the trenches. No matter who is under center for Seattle in 2025, the team’s long-term success will depend on strengthening the offensive line and maintaining a balanced approach to roster building.
