Who is qb for seahawks

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Last updated: April 8, 2026

Quick Answer: As of the 2024 NFL season, the Seattle Seahawks' starting quarterback is Geno Smith, who won the NFL Comeback Player of the Year award in 2022. Smith signed a three-year, $75 million contract extension in March 2023 after leading the Seahawks to a 9-8 record and playoff appearance in 2022. The backup quarterback is Sam Howell, acquired via trade from the Washington Commanders in March 2024.

Key Facts

Geno Smith is the starting QB for the Seahawks as of 2024, having won NFL Comeback Player of the Year in 2022
Smith signed a 3-year, $75 million contract extension in March 2023 after throwing for 4,282 yards and 30 touchdowns in 2022
The Seahawks acquired backup QB Sam Howell via trade from Washington in March 2024 for draft picks
Russell Wilson was the Seahawks' franchise QB from 2012-2021, leading them to Super Bowl XLVIII victory in 2013
The Seahawks drafted QB Michael Penix Jr. in the 2024 NFL Draft as a potential future starter

Overview

The Seattle Seahawks' quarterback position has undergone significant transformation in recent years, transitioning from the Russell Wilson era to the current Geno Smith-led offense. Wilson, drafted in the third round in 2012, became the franchise's most successful quarterback, leading the team to eight playoff appearances, two Super Bowls, and one championship victory in Super Bowl XLVIII. His departure via trade to the Denver Broncos in March 2022 marked the end of a decade-long era and created uncertainty at the most important position in football.

Geno Smith emerged as the unexpected successor, winning the starting job in 2022 after competing with Drew Lock during training camp. Smith's remarkable comeback story saw him transform from a journeyman backup to Pro Bowl quarterback, earning NFL Comeback Player of the Year honors. The Seahawks have since built their offense around Smith's strengths while also planning for the future through strategic draft picks and acquisitions, creating a quarterback room with both immediate competitiveness and long-term potential.

How It Works

The Seahawks' quarterback situation operates through a combination of veteran leadership, strategic planning, and developmental depth.

Starter Development: Geno Smith's resurgence under head coach Pete Carroll and offensive coordinator Shane Waldron demonstrates how the Seahawks develop quarterbacks through system familiarity and tailored play-calling. Smith completed 69.8% of his passes in 2022, the highest completion percentage in Seahawks history, showing dramatic improvement from his earlier career marks.
Contract Management: The Seahawks structured Smith's three-year, $75 million contract with $40 million guaranteed, providing stability while maintaining flexibility. This deal includes performance incentives and team options, allowing the organization to adapt if Smith's production declines or if a younger quarterback emerges as a superior option.
Depth Building: Seattle acquired Sam Howell in March 2024 by trading third-round and fifth-round draft picks to Washington, securing a young quarterback with starting experience. Howell started all 17 games for Washington in 2023, throwing for 3,946 yards and 21 touchdowns while demonstrating mobility with 263 rushing yards.
Future Planning: The Seahawks selected quarterback Michael Penix Jr. with the 16th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, investing in a potential franchise quarterback for the post-Smith era. Penix threw for 4,903 yards and 36 touchdowns in his final season at Washington, showing elite arm talent and deep-ball accuracy that fits Seattle's offensive philosophy.

Key Comparisons

Feature	Geno Smith (2024 Starter)	Russell Wilson (2012-2021)
Years with Seahawks	2022-present (3 seasons)	2012-2021 (10 seasons)
Career Pass Yards with SEA	8,176 yards (2022-2023)	37,059 yards (franchise record)
Career TD-INT Ratio	50-20 (2.5:1 ratio)	292-87 (3.36:1 ratio)
Playoff Record	0-1 (lost 2022 Wild Card)	9-7 (won Super Bowl XLVIII)
Contract Value	3 years, $75M ($40M guaranteed)	4 years, $140M ($107M guaranteed in 2019)
Pro Bowl Selections	1 (2022 season)	9 (2012-2021, except 2016)

Why It Matters

Offensive Identity: The quarterback transition has reshaped Seattle's offensive identity from Wilson's improvisational style to Smith's more structured, timing-based approach. This shift required adjustments across the offense, with Smith completing 69.8% of passes in 2022 compared to Wilson's career average of 64.7% with Seattle.
Salary Cap Management: Smith's reasonable contract allows the Seahawks to allocate resources to other positions, unlike Wilson's record-setting extension that consumed approximately 15% of the salary cap. This financial flexibility enabled Seattle to strengthen their offensive line and defensive secondary through free agency and the draft.
Future Development: The presence of both Sam Howell and Michael Penix Jr. creates competitive depth and succession planning rarely seen in the NFL. This three-tier quarterback structure provides insurance against injury, developmental opportunities for young players, and strategic options for the front office in future seasons.

The Seahawks' quarterback situation represents a carefully managed transition that balances immediate competitiveness with long-term planning. While Geno Smith provides proven production and leadership, the additions of Sam Howell and Michael Penix Jr. ensure the franchise has multiple pathways to sustained success. This multi-layered approach demonstrates how modern NFL teams must navigate the quarterback position in an era of salary constraints and increasing player mobility, positioning Seattle for both short-term contention and future flexibility as they build toward their next championship window.