Sam Howell shares his thoughts on the Seahawks’ quarterback competition involving Geno Smith.

Newly acquired quarterback Sam Howell is fully aware of the dynamics awaiting him in Seattle. Having started all 17 games for the Washington Commanders last season, Howell arrived in Seattle through a trade involving a fourth-round draft pick. Despite his starting experience, Howell begins his tenure with the Seahawks as Geno Smith’s backup, the incumbent starter for the past two seasons.

As the Seahawks navigate through OTAs, the 23-year-old quarterback emphasizes his readiness to “compete” regardless of the circumstances. In his words, “In this league, to be able to play, you’ve gotta compete. And that’s what I’m willing to do. No matter what the situation is, no matter who the starter is, I’m coming to compete every single day. And Geno has been great. I’ve learned a lot from Geno and he’s a great player. I have a lot of respect for him and everything he’s been through in his career, just the way he’s always battled and bounced back.”

While the Seahawks have designated Smith as the starter for the upcoming season, there’s evident optimism within the organization regarding Howell’s potential. Notably, Howell nearly led the Commanders to victory against the Seahawks in Week 10 of the previous season, showcasing his prowess with 312 yards and three touchdowns despite the loss. Seahawks President of Football Operations and General Manager John Schneider lauded Howell’s toughness and potential during the NFL Annual Meeting in March.

Acknowledging his areas for improvement, Howell recognizes turnovers and sacks as significant issues from his previous season with the Commanders. Despite throwing for 3,946 yards and 26 total touchdowns, Howell struggled with a league-high 21 interceptions and 65 sacks. Reflecting on his performance, he acknowledges the need for smarter play and reducing turnovers.

Although Howell won’t step into the season as the starter as he did with the Commanders, the opportunity for him to seize the role remains if Smith falters. Notably, the Seahawks operate under new head coach Mike Macdonald, succeeding Pete Carroll.