Seahawks open to selecting rookie quarterback in April

Pete Carroll Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

Seahawks openly considering quarterback position in 2023 NFL Draft

By Colum Dell | Last updated Mar 1, 2023 7:46 PM ET

Although Seahawks GM John Schneider has termed ongoing contract negotiations with reigning Comeback Player of the Year Geno Smith as "positive," the team remains open to the possibility of drafting a quarterback in April's NFL Draft.

At the NFL Scouting Combine on Tuesday, head coach Pete Carroll told reporters Seattle is "totally connected to the quarterbacks that are coming out" in this year's draft.

Seattle owns the fifth overall pick -- that coming via their trade of QB Russell Wilson -- which Carroll described as a "rare opportunity" to land a top prospect. Additionally, Seattle has its own first-round pick, No. 20 overall.

"We've been drafting in the low 20s for such a long time; you just don't get the chance with these guys," Carroll said. "So we're deeply involved with all that."

Pete Carroll says Seahawks would definitely consider still taking a QB high in draft even if they re-sign Geno Smith. pic.twitter.com/Nh6uAMuvIX
— Bob Condotta (@bcondotta) February 28, 2023

Smith led the NFL in completion percentage (69.8%) last season as the Seahawks snagged a surprise postseason berth, but considering its draft situation, the organization can theoretically afford to gamble on a project quarterback like Kentucky's Will Levis or Florida's Anthony Richardson.

Should Smith return, the Seahawks would be able to remain competitive and could ease a new signal-caller into the complex rhythms of NFL ball. This year's QB class has been evaluated by the Seahawks "a lot," per Schneider.

"Like I said earlier, we haven't picked fifth overall since we've been here, said Schneider. "So yeah, I got out to see a lot of quarterbacks this year. It was pretty fun. But honestly, every year, we've tried to do that, and we've tried to add quarterbacks."

In previous drafts, the team reportedly attempted to trade up to select eventual superstars Patrick Mahomes (2017) and Josh Allen (2018), according to ESPN's Brady Henderson.

With four picks in the first two rounds, Seattle has more than enough high-value assets to trade up if necessary.

The 2023 NFL Draft, hosted in Kansas City, is scheduled for April 27-29 upcoming.

Colum Dell

Colum is a Texas transplant, born and raised in New Jersey. In addition to being a West Virginia University alumnus, he is a long-suffering New York Giants, Knicks and Mets fan. He joined Yardbarker in November 2022 and has primarily covered the NFL since

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