Oct 25, 2021; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) passes against the New Orleans Saints during the first quarter at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

While quarterback Geno Smith has spent most of his NFL career as a backup, he’s currently on track to change that for the 2022 season.

Speaking to 93.3 KJR-FM, Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator Shane Waldron said (per Gregg Bell, Tacoma News Tribune) that Smith presently holds an edge over Drew Lock in the team’s quarterback battle.

To say that this was not met with universal praise among NFL fans would be an understatement.

Seattle’s quarterback situation is highly uncertain following the trade of Russell Wilson to the Denver Broncos. While it’s possible that a veteran could be signed or traded for, previous comments from coach Pete Carroll indicate that’s not likely.

Smith was drafted by the New York Jets in 2013. He started every game in his rookie season and 13 games in year two. Since then, though, he’s been a backup, starting only five total games since the beginning of the 2015 season. Three of those starts were in 2021 when Wilson was sidelined due to injury. For his career, Smith has completed 58.8% of his passes for 6,917 yards with 34 touchdowns, 37 interceptions, and a 75.7 passer rating.

Lock has more recent experience as a starter. Like Smith, he started only three games in 2021. But he’s started a total of 21 games since getting drafted in 2019. Lock has completed 59.3% of his passes for 4,740 yards with 25 touchdowns, 20 interceptions, and a 79.3 passer rating in his career with the Broncos.

It makes sense that Smith would presently have the inside track. If nothing else, he’s familiar with the offense, having spent the 2020 and 2021 seasons in Seattle. As the younger quarterback, Lock is probably the one who has the better chance of becoming a good NFL starter. But the reality is, there’s not much of a chance with either option.

Regardless of who ends up under center, the Seahawks will likely be serious players in the quarterback-heavy 2023 NFL Draft, which will likely be led by Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud and Alabama’s Bryce Young.

[Gregg Bell, NBC Sports EDGE Football]

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