It’s on: Drew Lock Seahawks’ starting quarterback over Geno Smith this week, for 1st time
The Seahawks’ competition to succeed Russell Wilson is (finally) on.
Drew Lock was the starting quarterback with Geno Smith behind him to begin 11-on-11 scrimmaging in practice Tuesday. Lock will start Thursday in Seattle’s second preseason game, against the Chicago Bears at Lumen Field, coach Pete Carroll said.
Lock is ahead of Smith on the depth chart for the first time in the 12 practices of training camp, and including offseason practices after Seattle acquired Lock as part of trading Wilson to the Denver Broncos March 8.
Tuesday’s was the last full practice of the week. The team is to have a light walkthrough Wednesday then the second of the three preseason games Thursday.
Now the comparison between Smith and Lock can be more true. Until now, coaches’ evaluations of the two QBs essentially were apples to oranges. Smith was playing with the same starting offensive line and receivers against top defenses. Lock’s performance was with and against reserves.
“We had planned well, well back in the — even before the offseason (practices) started — to get to this game, second game, and Geno would be the starter in (the mock game Aug. 6) and in the opening game (last Saturday at Pittsburgh), and then we’d go Drew in the second game,” Carroll said.
“This is part of the plan. Regardless of the plan, we were going to give Drew a chance to start a game and just see what happens. Fortunately, he’s played really well and he deserves a shot to play.”
Asked if Smith is still the leader of the competition, Carroll said: “I don’t even have to say that. Geno is still the number-one guy. He’s holding onto it at this point.”
Lock’s first pass of 11-on-11 scrimmaging as the starter Tuesday was complete to leaping DK Metcalf outside right. His second throw was also on target, a completion down the right side to Tyler Lockett.
The 25-year-old Lock clapped his hands as running back Travis Homer cut through the line on a carry. When his and the first-team offense’s series of plays ended, Lock slapped hands with Smith as the 31-year-old veteran huddled the second-team offense together.
Lock was impressive throwing the ball Saturday in Seattle’s preseason opener at Pittsburgh. He completed 11 of 15 passes for 102 yards with two touchdown passes in the second half to rally the Seahawks from a 17-10 deficit to ties at 17 and 25 in the second half.
Smith started in Pittsburgh. He was 10 for 15 for 101 yards with a rushing touchdown late in the first half.
Lock’s one mistake was during a 2:00 drill late in the game after rookie Boye Mafe had given Seattle the pain in Pittsburgh territory with a fourth down sack and the score tied. Lock failed to read an unblocked, unaccounted for Steelers linebacker blitzing his backside. He didn’t change the protection call or the play, as he and coach Pete Carroll acknowledged Lock should have. Lock lost a fumble on an unblocked sack, and the Steelers converted the turnover into the winning points.
“So, I really like what Drew has shown us, you know. You look at his passer rating and some of the stuff that he did, and he did a great job,” Carroll said.
“Both of our guys can play. That’s what we know. Both of them can play.”
Lock was 8-13 as a starter in parts of his first three NFL seasons with Denver.
Smith is 13-21 in his career as a starter, first with the New York Jets as a rookie in 2013 and again in ‘14.
He had been the starter for Seattle until Tuesday because of his familiarity with offensive coordinator Shane Waldron’s schemes and Seahawks teammates. Smith was Wilson’s backup for Seattle the last three seasons.
Waldron said following Saturday’s game in Pittsburgh he was pleased with the efficiency and decision-making by both quarterbacks against the Steelers.
“We have a plan,” Waldron said earlier this month about the quarterback derby.
Tuesday it began to become more apparent.
This story was originally published August 16, 2022 at 2:50 PM.
