Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith has played better this season than almost anyone expected.
So Seahawks coach Pete Carroll’s remarks Wednesday about the team’s quarterback situation turned some heads.
“He’s doing everything we could ask of him right now,” Carroll said (via The Athletic). “It’s good, too, that he’s got Drew (Lock) nipping at his heels every day in practice. Every day in practice, Drew does stuff. He’s got good stuff going right there in support of what Geno does.
“It just keeps everybody on their toes. It’s the whole thing about competition; it’s good and we like (that) it continues to be this way.”
Those are some nice compliments for backup quarterback Drew Lock’s role on the team since being acquired as part of the trade that sent Russell Wilson to the Denver Broncos. Yet it’s not a stretch to say some people — perhaps even Smith — might hear those remarks and wonder if there is a quarterback competition brewing in Seattle.
Smith, who spent two seasons backing up Wilson in Seattle, beat out Lock for the starting position this preseason. Even then, Carroll’s comments about the 25-year-old Lock were full of praise.
“In the meantime, Drew’s going to keep on battling because he can play, and he’s got all kinds of stuff in him, and I want him to be ready at a moment’s call,” Carroll said in late August. “And he’s going to keep growing and pushing and developing as a fantastic player and I have no problem playing with him, too.
“So, we’re fortunate to have two guys who can go, and when he comes off the bench, if he gets his chance he’ll be ready to go and try to light it up.”
Smith has played extremely well thus far, throwing for 1,305 yards and nine touchdowns in five starts for Seattle (2-3). His QBR (total quarterback rating) of 74.8 ranks fourth in the NFL.
His performance led many to question Carroll’s “nipping at his heels” phrase.
It is more likely that Drew Lock is physically on his hands and knees attempting to bite Geno Smith’s heels than it is that Lock is playing at a level anywhere near Geno right now https://t.co/Y5cOP1fzwv
— Benjamin Solak (@BenjaminSolak) October 12, 2022
Will Geno continue to be lights out the rest of the way? Probably not.
Do I think Geno Smith can maintain some success to help them win and get the most out of the stud WRs Seattle has? Yes.
Can Drew Lock do the same or better? If he could, he would've won the job. #LetGenoCook
— I Diggs CJ Stroud’s MVP Odds in 2025 (@FondofHOUsports) October 12, 2022
This guy might be interested in acquiring a heel-biter for his team… pic.twitter.com/PAZXQQmTLW
— Darin J. McCann (@DarinMccann) October 12, 2022
https://twitter.com/GregDArmstrong/status/1580248494174265345
Live look at Drew Lock 'nipping at Geno's heels' https://t.co/zepHWn5oJ1 pic.twitter.com/u6WI0CUaKB
— Bet the Prop (@bettheprop) October 12, 2022