Geno Smith Oct 31, 2021; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll talks with quarterback Geno Smith (7) during the second quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

The 2022 NFL Draft is set to conclude on Saturday, and one of the more shocking topics of conversation is the Seattle Seahawks not taking a quarterback within the first five rounds of the draft.

The team made one of the bigger moves of the NFL offseason to date, trading star quarterback Russell Wilson to the Denver Broncos.

Seattle received a first and second-round pick in this year’s draft in return from the Broncos but ultimately decided to fill other needs with those picks.

They also received Drew Lock in return from Denver, who many believe could be the starter in 2022.

Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll discussed the team’s quarterback situation next season, revealing that veteran quarterback Geno Smith is currently leading the competition that will likely stretch into the preseason for the team.

“The competition is underway,” Carroll told reporters on Saturday. “Geno (Smith) has come in and is obviously ahead going in because he’s had all the background with us. He’s been with us for a number of years. He leads the charge right now. He’s in command of our system as much as any guy could be.”

While Smith would seemingly be the Seahawks starter if the NFL season were to start today, Carroll had some good things to say about Lock.

“We’ve been able to see Drew in great depth. We’ve seen everything. We went all the way back to all his college days and everything else. Every throw he’s ever thrown to show us what he’s capable of doing. We’re fitting it together.”

Carroll and general manager John Schneider did add that they are “always looking” at other quarterback options, which further fuels speculation that the team could trade for Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield at some point.

Up to this point, the team has seemed reluctant to pull the trigger on trading for Mayfield, and if Carroll’s comments are any indication, he may be happy with the quarterbacks that are currently on the roster.

[Pro Football Talk]

About Reice Shipley

Reice Shipley is a staff writer for Comeback Media that graduated from Ithaca College with a degree in Sports Media. He previously worked at Barrett Sports Media and is a fan of all things Syracuse sports.