Brady HendersonESPN
Geno Smith beat out Drew Lock in the Seattle Seahawks quarterback competition and will start the team’s Sept. 12 opener against Russell Wilson and the Denver Broncos, Pete Carroll said Friday. Carroll made the announcement after the Seahawks’ preseason finale — a 27-26 loss to the Dallas Cowboys — and said he briefed the team. Smith started Friday night, driving in a goal with his lone run before giving way to Lock, who threw one pass and three interceptions, two of which were not entirely his fault. Carroll has said all along that Smith was ahead of Locke, noting several times how his former backup Wilson had the edge in terms of understanding Seattle’s offense. “He earned it,” Carroll said. “He won the job.” Smith said he learned of Carroll’s decision when the coach spoke to the team in the locker room after the game. “Obviously I’m grateful for the opportunity and I’m grateful,” said Smith, who backed up Wilson the last three seasons and started three games last year while Wilson was hurt. “But I have a lot of work ahead of me.” Smith took the vast majority of the Seahawks’ first-team reps this summer and started all three of their preseason games, though Lock was slated to start the second before testing positive for COVID-19. “I have no doubt he can play,” Carroll said of Lock, who was acquired from Denver in the Wilson trade. “I think he will soon become a fantastic footballer.” Smith and Locke both said they’ll have each other’s back no matter how the rivalry pans out, something Locke reiterated after Carroll’s announcement. “As a competitor, you’re always disappointed,” Locke said of his reaction to hearing Smith won the job. “… But now it’s my job to have his back.” Locke said his recent bout with COVID “knocked my butt,” calling it an interesting experience because he just had a headache the first time. Lock tested positive on August 16, ruling him out for Seattle’s second preseason game two days later. Between the Seahawks’ mock game at Lumen Field and his two preseason games, he completed 42 of 66 passes (64%) for 458 yards, four touchdowns, three interceptions and one fumble. In all four games, Smith went 33-of-58 (57%) for 350 yards, no touchdowns and no turnovers.
