Seahawks general manager John Schneider spoke with the media yesterday a couple hours after head coach Pete Carroll. Schneider and Carroll both rarely show their hand when it comes to their intentions in the draft. However, they both made it clear that they aren’t willing to ignore the 2023 class of quarterbacks no matter what they plan to do with Geno Smith.
Carroll told the media that even if they do re-sign Smith they are “totally connected” with this class of QB prospects. Schneider shared a similar sentiment. Asked why the Seahawks would pick a quarterback when they already have Smith, Schneider replied that they don’t grow on trees.
Question: If you’re committed to Geno with a big money/long term deal, why then take a QB high in this draft?
John Schneider: “Because they don’t grow on trees.”
— Dugar, Michael-Shawn (@MikeDugar) February 28, 2023
This is exactly the right mentality to have.
As well as Smith played last season, the Seahawks are in a rare position to land a special talent at the game’s most important position – one that will be on a relatively cheap rookie contract for the next four or five years.
There’s also the fact that Smith is 32 years old and the sample size of him playing at a high level is small. There’s nothing wrong with re-signing Geno and starting him next season, but to pass on a strong class of quarterbacks because of their confidence in Smith would be the wrong move.
Assuming that they’re not interested in the third-tier QBs who will likely end up as career backups, there’s only five names to keep an eye on.
At the top of the list are Alabama’s Bryce Young and Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud, who are the most pro-ready quarterbacks in this class and will likely start Week 1 no matter who drafts them. Picking either one would be cause for celebration, but it’s unlikely either will still be on the board at No. 5.
The next group of QBs is likely the one Seattle will want to target – those prospects who are raw and undeveloped but have demonstrated a high ceiling. That list includes Kentucky’s Will Levis, Tennessee’s Hendon Hooker, and our favorite, Florida’s Anthony Richardson.
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