There were some questions as to whether or not the Seattle Seahawks would keep quarterback Geno Smith on the roster heading into 2024, but the Seahawks decided to retain him.
However, just because Smith is still in Seattle does not necessarily mean he will start next season.
New Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald was asked whether or not Smith would be taking snaps come September, and he gave a long-winded answer that didn’t actually answer the query.
“The first thing that I want you to know, and everybody to know, is that as an organization we’re always looking, we’re always trying to figure out what’s best for the team all the time,” Macdonald said, via Michael-Shawn Dugar of The Athletic. “We’re always going to try to make the best decisions for the team. I’m excited for Geno to come in here and start playing and start working and meet coach – I mean, he’s met Coach [Ryan] Grubb – but to get with Ryan and get with [quarterbacks coach] Charles [London] and to go to work.”
So, does that mean Smith is starting or not?
“I don’t want you to feel like I’m dodging this answer but that’s what I’m excited about, for him to come in here and start to build this team the way we envision building it,” Macdonald continued. “And the only way to do that is to go to work with it. That’s what I’m focused on, man. As opportunities come throughout the whole team, and quarterback position included, I guess you could say because that’s the value system that we’re living by here. I’m just excited for him to get here April 8th and go to work on our ’24 season.”
Essentially, Macdonald is not committing to Smith as the No. 1 signal-caller for next season, which makes you wonder exactly what the Seahawks’ plan is.
Seattle owns the 16th pick of the NFL Draft next month, so it could theoretically take a quarterback. Barring a trade, it won’t be able to land one of the very top prospects, but perhaps it can land someone like J.J. McCarthy, Michael Penix Jr. or Bo Nix depending on how things shake out.
Or, maybe it will make a splash via trade or free agency?
Whatever the case may be, Macdonald does not seem too enthralled about heading into 2024 with Smith as his starting quarterback.
Geno Smith played in 15 games this past season, throwing for 3,624 yards, 20 touchdowns and nine interceptions while completing 64.7 percent of his passes and posting a passer rating of 92.1. He wasn’t quite as good as he was during his breakout 2022 campaign, but he was still solid.
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