On Monday night, the Seahawks host the Broncos to start the season. Russell Wilson’s former backup, Geno Smith, gets the start for the home team.
What does Seattle coach Pete Carroll expect of Smith, who hasn’t been a full-time starter since 2014?
“I expect him to be really solid,” Carroll told reporters on Monday. “I expect him to run the offense just like he has been doing it all along. I think he’s well experienced. He’s been around a long time. He’ll be poised about it, and he’s in command of it. And he’s seen a lot of the looks throughout the time we’ve been together in this camp. So he’s ready to go. I expect him to play well.”
Smith played well last year, when Wilson was injured. If Smith doesn’t play well this year, Drew Lock will get the assignment.
Carroll has made it clear that the competition continues between Smith and Lock. All too often, the player who wins a quarterback competition simply wins the right to be the first one benched. If Smith loses to Wilson on Monday night, Lock could inch closer to getting an opportunity to play.