Seattle Seahawks coach Pete Carroll says he doesn’t feel any pressure to name a starting quarterback based on any dates. While that may be true, it’s inescapable that tonight’s preseason game against the Dallas Cowboys is the last significant date before that decision has to be made.
Geno Smith will get the start. However, he’s only expected to play briefly while Drew Lock gets the majority of the work. According to Jeremy Fowler at ESPN, Lock might even play as much as three quarters.
Seahawks QB Drew Lock set to get significant run Friday vs. Dallas, as Pete Carroll said — I was told he could play at least three quarters. A chance to state his case.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) August 25, 2022
Lock needs the reps, having missed last week’s preseason game due to a positive COVID-19 test. While their workload has been roughly the same this offseason, Lock has lagged far behind Smith when it comes to reps with the starting offense.
Put it another way, tonight is Lock’s last chance to prove he can win the job, and apparently it’s not out of the question despite Smith’s long-held lead.
According to Doug Kyed at Pro Football Focus, Lock still has a chance to win the competition if he balls out against the Cowboys.
“Smith is the leader in the clubhouse for the job, in part due to the unfortunate timing of Lock’s positive COVID test that kept him from starting and playing in Week 2 of the preseason. “Lock missing Thursday’s game was a killer for his chances,” one source said. That being said, one source said that if Lock “balls out” against Dallas, then he still has a chance. Otherwise, the Seahawks will go with Smith.”
Generally speaking, the last preseason game of the year sees only backups and players on the roster bubble getting significant playing time. That Seattle still has an unsettled QB1 situation at this point is not a good sign for their outlook this season.
If Lock really does thrive against Dallas, Carroll will have a difficult call to make. However, our best guess is he’s already decided on Smith and just isn’t saying so in public.
