Tag: Geno Smith

Seahawks 2024 schedule rumors: Broncos visiting Week 1, Lions on MNF?

As for the Seahawks, there hasn’t been much in the way of leaks or rumors.

In about 12 hours the NFL will officially release the full schedule for the 2024 regular season. In the meantime, the league is leaking matchups all over the place, including the season opener between the Ravens and Chiefs, the Eagles vs. Packers game the next night in Brazil and the Jets visiting the 49ers in the first Monday Night Football matchup of the year.

As for the Seahawks, there hasn’t been much in the way of leaks or rumors. Here’s a quick review of everything we have seen on social media. First, local radio personality Dave Mahler says he’s “hearing” the team will host the Broncos Week 1 on Sunday, Sept. 8.

The Broncos of course visited the Seahawks to start the season two years ago, in another MNF game billed as Russell Wilson’s revenge game. Seattle won in an instant classic, 17-16 and the modern, upgraded version of Geno Smith was born.

Since then these two teams have gone in different directions. While Seattle finished the last two years 9-8, the Broncos went 5-12 in 2022 and then 8-9 last season. Despite a marked improvement they decided to start over at quarterback, ditching Wilson and eating around 80 bajillion dollars in dead money. Heading into 2024 the most likely candidate to start is rookie Bo Nix out of Oregon, who they picked at No. 12 overall. Veteran Zach Wilson may also be in the mix to start early on.

The only other rumor we have seen related to the Seahawks is coming out of Detroit sports radio – where they’re saying the Lions will host Seattle in Week 4 on Monday Night Football.

This makes sense on the surface at least, as these two teams have played thrilling shootouts each of the last two seasons in Detroit, with Seattle barely coming out on top in both cases, 48-45 and 37-31.

However, this is your yearly reminder to take everything you read on Twitter or hear on the radio with a healthy dose of salt.

More Seahawks Wire stories

Ranking all 32 offensive lines around the league after the draft

Mina Kimes on how Seahawks OC Ryan Grubb could help Geno Smith

Here’s Seahawks superfan and NFL analyst Mina Kimes on how Grubb can help get the best out of Geno Smith.

The Seahawks have turned over their roster a great deal this offseason, effectively starting over at linebacker, safety and their interior offensive line. However, the most important changes the team made were on the sidelines. This will be their first year playing under new head coach Mike Macdonald, who should get Seattle’s defense back to a respectable level.

On the other side of the ball Macdonald will rely on offensive coordiantor Ryan Grubb, who was arguably the best playcaller in college football over the last two seasons. Here’s Seahawks superfan and NFL analyst Mina Kimes on how Grubb can help get the best out of Geno Smith.

More Seahawks Wire stories

Ranking the top 25 tight ends in the league after the draft

Ranking the top 64 wide receivers after the 2024 NFL draft 

Ranking the top 32 running backs in the league after the draft

Ranking the league’s top 50 quarterbacks after NFL draft

Ranking the league’s top 50 quarterbacks after the 2024 NFL draft

Here’s how we rank the top 50 quarterbacks around the league, including the latest class of QBs.

Free agency is over, the draft is done and the rosters are for the most part set. That means it’s finally time for rankings season. Yesterday we kicked things off by ranking all 32 teams around the league. We slotted the Seahawks at No. 19, just below the group of fringe playoff teams who might or might not make the postseason depending on the way the ball bounces.

A lot of factors go into winning or losing in this league, but the most dependable path to success is and has always been finding a strong starting quarterback. Let’s see how Seattle stacks up in this all-important department after the 2024 NFL draft. Here’s how we rank the top 50 quarterbacks around the league, including the latest class of QBs.

Predictions for each game on the Seahawks’ 2024 schedule

Tyler Lockett and DK Metcalf are the NFL’s most-productive WR duo

Tyler Lockett, DK Metcalf are the NFL’s most-productive WR duo

It is no secret the Seattle Seahawks have arguably the best wide receiver duo in football right now. While there are several dynamic duos out there in the league, it is hard to find a better pair than No. 14 and No. 16 in the Emerald City.

Lockett and Metcalf help give the Seahawks an offensive identity the franchise is genuinely unaccustomed to having. Seattle has never been known for dominant weapons at wide receiver, and that is exactly what they have with Lockett and Metcalf. Their dominance has failed to decrease even with the departure of quarterback Russell Wilson.

They say numbers never lie, and the numbers are telling quite a story in regards to these two stars.

Metcalf is coming off his second consecutive 1,000+ yard season, and has eclipsed the 1,000 yard mark in three of his five seasons. He has never caught for less than 900 yards, which came in his rookie season. As for Lockett, his four-straight seasons of 1,000+ yards did come to an end, but only “decreased” to 894 yards. His efforts have still been more than enough to land him as quite literally the second best receiver in Seahawks franchise history.

The futures of Lockett and Metcalf remained somewhat up in the air earlier this offseason. Many believed Metcalf could be a trade target, and Lockett be cut. Instead, Metcalf is staying, and thanks to a reworked contract, so is Lockett. With these two, as well as Jaxon Smith-Njigba in the mix, new offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb has quite the weapons to work with.

More Seahawks Wire stories

Updated Seahawks 90-man roster by jersey # with UDFAs

Seahawks announce they have signed 16 undrafted free agents

2024 NFL draft grades for all 32 teams: Who got top marks?

Seahawks updated projection for depth chart after 2024 NFL draft

Sam Howell will be a ‘huge part’ of the Seahawks’ plans at quarterback

Looking ahead, the only option to succeed Geno Smith as the team’s starting QB is Sam Howell.

Going into the 2024 NFL draft it seems the Seahawks’ plan at quarterback was Michael Penix Jr. or nothing. After trying and failing to trade up into the top 10 picks to get him, Seattle passed on the rest of the QB class despite multiple opportunities to take a chance on South Carolina’s Spencer Rattler, Tulane’s Michael Pratt or Florida State’s Jordan Travis.

Looking ahead, the only option to succeed Geno Smith as the team’s starting QB is Sam Howell, who they gave up the equivalent of a seventh-round pick for a few weeks ago. After Day 2 ended general manager John Schneider was asked what the long-term plan is at QB, and a somewhat testy Schneider replied that they just traded for Howell, who will be a huge part of it.

Howell is a lot like Seattle’s last backup quarterback, Drew Lock. He comes with aggressive instincts, a powerful arm and plenty of ability with his legs. Howell also has the downside of Lock’s game – a penchant for his aggressiveness to get away from him, resulting in turnovers. For his part, Howell has vowed that if he gets another chance he’ll play smarter football.

We should get our first chance to see him make good on that promise in August, as Howell will likely get the vast majority of QB snaps for the Seahawks during the preseason.

More Seahawks Wire stories

Experts handout grades for Seahawks 2024 draft picks

7 questions about the Seahawks 2024 NFL draft class

Grading every pick Seattle made in 2024 NFL draft

Seahawks 2024 UDFA, rookie minicamp report tracker

Christian Haynes says he grew up a Seahawks fan, loves Geno Smith

Third-round pick Christian Haynes also grew up a Seattle fan despite being from the Maryland area.

Seahawks fans have been well represented by the team in the 2024 NFL draft in a literal sense. First-round pick Byron Murphy II grew up as a fan of the Legion of Boom despite living deep in Cowboys country. Third-round pick Christian Haynes also grew up a Seattle fan despite being from the Maryland area.

Being not too far from West Virginia, Haynes told reporters last night he’s also a big fan of Geno Smith’s game.

The first order of business for Haynes will be protecting Geno Smith, and he did an excellent job in that department during his time in college. Over the last two seasons at UConn, Haynes only allowed one sacks and two quarterback hits.

Last season Smith was under constant pressure, especially from the right side of the offensive line as the Seahawks struggled with starting right tackle Abe Lucas out with a knee injury for 11 games. Outside of Patrick Mahomes Smith avoided sacks as well as any NFL quarterback in 2023, but he still took 31 sacks, averaging just under two per game. Getting that number down will be critical if OC Ryan Grubb’s scheme is going to reach its peak this year.

More Seahawks Wire stories

Ranking the top 25 remaining prospects for Seahawks

Which positions should the Seahawks target on Day 3?

2024 NFL draft: Updated order of picks for Rounds 4-7

Seahawks high on Sam Howell, expected to bypass QBs in 2024 NFL draft

The real focus of this draft should be at the line of scrimmage, which is where the biggest gulf is between Seattle and potential Super Bowl teams.

Seahawks general manager John Schneider likes to talk about drafting quarterbacks every year, which is what the Packers front office would have taught him when he was coming up as an executive. However, in practice Seattle has mostly avoided drafting quarterbacks and seems to strongly prefer players with pro experience over rookies at this spot.

The 2024 NFL draft offers a deep and strong class of QBs. However, the latest buzz coming via Adam Schefter at ESPN suggests they won’t be picking one because they feel comfortable with Sam Howell backing up Geno Smith. Here’s what Schefter is hearing regarding Seattle.

“With regards to Penix, though, it should be pointed out that the Seahawks are high on quarterback Sam Howell, whom they traded for last month, and feel he offers some unique advantages. The 23-year-old Howell started 18 NFL games for the Commanders, is the same age as Penix (and Daniels) and is one year younger than Bo Nix (Oregon). Macdonald and the Seahawks feel they have invested in their future at the position with a player who already has game experience. Bypassing a quarterback also would be consistent with Seattle and continue an odd trend for the franchise.”

This does make sense on some levels, especially considering Howell’s age compared to most of the ’24 quarterbacks. The Seahawks also have a very solid starter in Geno Smith, who seems to be getting better with age rather than declining.

Then again, we have to remember that teams gain exactly nothing from even suggesting their plans to a reporter – especially with three days to go before the draft. Also, history shows the team rarely if ever goes with the conventional wisdom about what they’re planning. Seattle has also met with several QBs, including JJ McCarthy, Bo Nix and Spencer Rattler.

Our best guess is that they would like to take a quarterback but won’t force it. If Michael Penix is still on the board at No. 16 overall or Rattler at 81 then they will at least strongly consider it.

However, the real focus of this draft should be at the line of scrimmage, which is where the biggest gulf is between Seattle and potential Super Bowl teams. Last season they were dominated on both sides of the line by every contender they played with the exception of Detroit.

Over the years Green Bay has proven there’s value in the long run in drafting quarterbacks before you need them. However, the quickest path back to the playoffs for this team right now is building up those offensive and defensive lines.

More Seahawks Wire stories

Grading every first-round draft pick in the John Schneider era

12 prospects with best % chance of getting picked at No. 16

Kam Chancellor, Richard Sherman comment on ‘Picturegate’

Geno Smith posts fastest time for the Seahawks in 2024 offseason

There are several far superior athletes on the roster, but Geno Smith’s competitive fire continues to set the pace for the Seattle Seahawks heading towards the 2024 season.

There are several far superior athletes on the roster, but Geno Smith’s competitive fire continues to set the pace for the Seattle Seahawks heading towards the 2024 season.

Yesterday Smith shared a photo of a chart at the team facility which shows the fastest speeds players have clocked so far this offseason. Smith was at the top of the list, checking in at 21.67 miles per hour – just edging out third-year cornerback Riq Woolen for the crown.

It’s always a good thing when your quarterback is the best athlete on your roster – but what really matters is that they have what Smith displayed here – the will to win. In no world is Smith actually faster than Woolen or Devon Witherspoon or any number of the skill players on this list, but as we saw in the fourth quarter over and over again this past season Smith has another gear that he can reach as a competitor that most at this level don’t.

Our best guess is that 2024 will be Smith’s last year as a starter, even though he has another year on his contract. However, we’re also learning that you really can’t count him out. As a bridge quarterback Smith shouldn’t have lasted as QB1 as long as he has. Only through sheer willpower has he managed to hang onto that job.

Smith will never be as popular as Russell Wilson or Matt Hasselbeck were at their peak, but I think we’re going to look back on this Geno Smith era much more fondly than the average fan believes.

More Seahawks Wire stories

Seahawks roll dice on Day 3 QB in The Athletic mock draft

PFF grades and rankings for every new Seahawks player

Every move the Seahawks have made so far this offseason

Seahawks fleece Jim Harbaugh, Chargers in this mock draft

Every move the Seattle Seahawks have made in the 2024 offseason

Next week the offseason will culminate in the 2024 NFL draft, so let’s take a moment today to review what the team has done so far.

It’s been an eventful offseason for the Seattle Seahawks and their fans to say the least. It began with a thrilling one-point win over the division rival Arizona Cardinals, followed immediately by a short-lived but silly controversy over cigar smoking in the locker room. Since then the team has changed head coaches, totally remade the back end of their defense and brought in another backup quarterback via trade.

Next week the offseason will culminate in the 2024 NFL draft, which is the main event of the non-football season calendar. Let’s take a moment today to review what the team has done so far. Here are all 32 of their major moves this offseason.

Seahawks roll dice on Day 3 QB in The Athletic mock draft