Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald seemed hesitant to confirm Geno Smith will be the team’s starting quarterback a few weeks ago.
There was no hesitation by Macdonald earlier this week when he was again asked if Smith will be the starter in 2024. Macdonald said he doesn’t anticipate a competition at quarterback between Smith and the recently acquired Sam Howell during training camp.
“l don’t. I’ve talked to Geno about it. Very confident in Geno. Geno’s going to be our starter,” Macdonald told the NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. “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.”
Macdonald, in his first year as head coach, declined to commit to Smith when asked last month.
“That’s a tough question and it’s one that I probably can’t answer right now,” Macdonald said during an interview with reporter Aaron Levin of KCPQ-TV in Seattle. “But we’re doing a lot of work on those guys and I’ve had conversations just to get to know them and understand who they are as people and their background, and goals and what their family’s like and where they’re from. I didn’t know anything about them coming into this whole thing. So, right now we’re in the phase of figuring out who they are.”
The intrigue increased after the Seahawks acquired Howell in a trade with the Washington Commanders on March 15.
Some observers wondered if Howell, who started all 17 games for the Commanders in 2023, would compete with Smith for the QB1 position. Macdonald said he’s going with Smith, who threw for 3,624 yards, 20 touchdowns and nine interceptions while completing 67.4% of his passes in 2023.
Smith posted a career season in 2022, throwing 4,282 yards with 30 touchdowns, while completing 69.8% of his passes, all career-highs. Smith led the Seahawks to a surprising playoff berth and was named the NFL’s Comeback Player of the Year and selected to the Pro Bowl.
“His track record the last couple years and the stats he’s been able to put up, his poise, his leadership, obviously his capability throwing the football, and our relationship is just getting started to grow,” Macdonald said.
Macdonald has made some changes since replacing longtime head coach Pete Carroll. However, one change he apparently won’t be making is removing Smith as the starting quarterback.