I can't agree with your thoughts enough on this one...other than I would take Fields in return for a Geno trade. Howell and Fields in a young, cheap QB competition for one season. A lot of what people are saying about Howell...which I don't think is wrong...applies to Fields as well. Fields also has the dual threat capability.
The Bears also have pick 9. What about pick 16 and Geno for pick 9? Might have to add a 2025 pick(maybe even our #1), but it is something to think about when we get to pick 9. There might be an attractive quarterback sitting there at 9.
I lived in the DC area for a few years, a long, long time ago. During the Riggins, Theisman, Ewing years. And for sports fans there, it’s the DC-Baltimore metro area. 2 NFL teams, Orioles were the local baseball for the whole area, Hoyas and Terps basketball fighting it out, with UVA nearby too. All in the local sports media, with TV coverage.
So I wonder about Mike MacDonald, did he maybe pay some extra attention to the other home team? Spent a little more time watching the young 5th rounder who became the surprise starter and threw for over 4000 yards in an otherwise pretty lousy offense? Does a wonky defensive coordinator take a closer look at what the other local QB is doing?
Anyway . . . that’s my theory. MM might have had a bigger hand in this.
[Side note: HOF RB and rebel-of-his-day John Riggins is a comp for Marshawn to join that exclusive club. A discussion for another day.]
Riggins... omg what a beast he was! And Theisman--always rooted from him as an ex-CFLer in Toronto. Watching his leg break still makes me sick thinking about it.
And it could be MM was "aware" of Howell but I will also bet that JS had him on his draft board two years ago also.
Noted that after his Jr year he had potential to be a late first round. Went back. Did poorly. Fell to rd 5. Sort of shows how dramatic things can be. FYI The Athletic Mike Jones gave us a B mainly due to cost. Read Denver wanted him. Hope that was true :-)
So exciting to watch a new era start in front of our eyes. We have a chance to have the next Andy Reid or Bill or Shanny? It could all implode, but it will be must see TV at least. Go Hawks!!
Yes … I think this is my favorite part of the year reading joes work. Keeps everyone on top of things which adds a ton of intrigue. so many theories and predictions and this and that then you get to see what actually happens.
It even makes when some people consider a full hawks week exciting.
For me personally I was really interested in what the team thought about Diggs. Kind of squared off some Seahawks factions (all in fun). I really didn’t know what was going to happen.
But yes - it has been fun and entertaining- exactly what the NfL is for!
Ah..., I see what it is you were seeing in this guy, folks. The man has the spark and aggressive drive needed to take the Moons from sub-par to looking like promise may be in store. Knowing Geno doesn't have 'It', I had to hope Lock would show us something. The 12s have been starved for it since Russ took to trying to find his glory-days self. Now we have what maybe Lock has. No more wondering. I like this move. The Wheels are again turning. Let's Howl.
--Fine...Howell is a cheap, young back up that could surprise you. I think it was a bit of an overpay.
--Like some have commented...makes me wonder about what Schneider truly thinks of this draft class. Personally...if you can't get Penix or Daniels I would be out myself. I think the other prospects are fools gold.
--It is clear that they are re-aligning their salary cap...which I think is wise.
--The Bears are desperate and have clearly overplayed their hand. I think still think Schneider needs to have the conversation about the Fields for Geno scenario. If you pull off that trade you now have 2 cheap, young QB's to compete for the starting gig AND you unload your reasonable, but big, contract in the QB room. Geno as the bridge QB for the Bears AND the fact that they could officially full time Williams after 1 season would have to hold some appeal.
--What are Ryan Grubb's thoughts on Howell, Geno, and Fields? Are they running this stuff by him. I get he is from the college ranks but his track record their is amazing...even before Penix.
I question that JSMM are interested in a young QB whose primary qualification is cheapness. As I’ve written before, a reliable vet QB is *very* attractive to a first-time HC whose top priority for 2024 is getting the defense turned around. Same goes for a first-time pro OC and a GM on his own for the first time. I wouldn’t trade Geno to the Bears for anything other than the #9 overall, which they aren’t going to offer no matter how much sense acquiring Geno makes. It’s not that he’s that good, it’s that he’s that valuable to Seattle.
SSJ...what do you think would be a reasonable Fields for Geno type of deal? I know that was not really part of your original article but I would be curious. My first thoughts would include pick swaps and maybe salary considerations where the Hawks eat some of the money. Maybe Hawks work out a way to get Fields an extra year or two in an extension but not because they picked up his 5th year.
So what you’re telling me is that the Seahawks paid Geno 21 million dollars so that he could sit on the bench? If so that is the definition of stupid. Or is it so they can trade him to Chicago who apparently can’t have too many QBs. The Commanders apparently are going to start the less ready QB but not the Bears because they are brilliant when it comes to QBs.
Or could it be that the Seahawks just got a competent backup after the market for backups dried up for 4 million below what they would had to pay Lock to be a backup by trading down 2O + places from the middle of the third and fifth rounds.
The timing of the trade tells me that 1) the Seahawks learned during the combine that they are unlikely to be able to get into contention to draft any QB they are interested in this year . 2) they wanted to keep Lock but NY out bid them, 3) they are interested in taking a look at Howell before he hits the open market so that they have options next year.
Beyond that I agree that Howell is the best prospect other than Purdy of becoming a starter from the 2022 draft class. And at worst low cost backup for two years.
The only downside I can see is the number of articles speculating when we will see Howell. Answer when Geno is injured or when the Seahawks are officially eliminated from playoff contention.
This is cool. He's 23. He's super cheap. He's a better than average backup at worst. The trade value is fair and seems like a win-win for us and the moons. This also makes Kenneth look smart for calling out the possibility, so it's another win for SSJ.
I disagree about it being the first domino, however. I think Geno could ultimately lose the job to Howell at some point in the regular season, but they didn't acquire Howell to necessarily replace Geno. I don't think this impacts targeting a QB in the draft either.
JS probably had his eye on Howell two years ago but missed out when Washington picked him at the top of the 5th. Oh well, we had to settle for Riq Woolen instead. It's all working out as Schneider has foreseen (evil laugh)...
I think this trade is really almost the exact same situation as if they kept Lock and the same situation as last year.
A really bad start: 1-5 / 2-7 something like that - I think Howell comes in or if and when they are mathematically out of playoff contention
I also would not be too quick to say Geno is gone in 2025. I think this year has everything to do with 2025. Hawks win 8 or more games I think decent shot Geno gets extended. Hawks make playoffs? I think Geno is extended.
I also don’t think this move takes QB off the board for the draft.
Just a solid move at a low cost with upside potential.
Geno will have to go balls-out to stay ahead of this kid, meaning injuries will be a factor. Pete had him playing like there was no back-up QB. Geno has shown us he's very tough, but is an injured Geno worth a healthy young Howell, as we saw when Lock came in and went out?
I worded the post in a way that may have unintentionally made it seem like I expect Howell to be replacing Geno. I did write that I expect Geno to be the Week 1 starter. I just think that Howell gives Seattle options, but I think the move was made entirely in a vacuum absent decisions in the draft or on the roster. Just an opportunity to add a QB who they like for cheap. I just want to clear that up and I take responsibility for causing any confusion there.
Entirely in a vacuum? That seems illogical. They traded semi-precious draft positions to make the trade. It wasn't for nothing. At least it takes some of the pressure off to make some move up to draft a QB. And maybe we don't need to.
I love the guy we just traded for! The AZ video was pretty detailed. Seems like a go for it player with a great arm and decent field vision. He also has some crazy legs elusiveness. I liked Drew lock, but this dude has more upside and didn't cost too much.
Would I be reading too much into this to assume John does not have a particularly high opinion of the QB’s in this draft class? Why else trade draft capital on a QB we know he liked 2 years ago when he came out? Albeit, not a lot of draft capital.
QB draft classes are invariably overrated. History says that a couple of these guys will amount to something long-term and the rest will bounce around.
It’s likely that GMs rarely share the draft mavens amateur views of a given class. E.g., last year, Randy Mueller gave a first-round rating to only C J Stroud, saying that it wasn’t a tough call. (RM ranked Levis as second round, Richardson as Day 3, and said that many teams would not have Young on their board. To this day, he believes that ownership forced Richardson on a staff that didn’t want him.)
I am starting to agree with you and Chris...I wonder if reality has set in.
Geno feels safe and he has pleasantly surprised me the past 2 years so one more year is not the end of the world. But cashing in on a desperate Bears front office just seems too tempting. There is no way that they want Fields and Williams in the same OTA QB room right after the draft. Their coach has enough problems as it is let alone dealing with that dynamic.
Imagine if you had a Fields/Howell competition for 1 season with Grubb as the OC. The Hawks would be by far the most complete offensive unit that either of these guys has ever had.
This QB room minus Geno costs you 3.7 million dollars for 2024...and both were starters on their previous teams. Seems like a cheap chance to take, not a lot of risk, but a ton of upside.
If JS is able to trade back a little, pick up a 2nd rounder, and still get Penix that is a huge win. It will be interesting to watch just how much the "medicals" really turned people off to Penix
I get the feeling this might be the first move of 2, probably 3. Get Howell, trade Geno (Sorry Mike McD) and draft another QB (Nix🙏) to compete and/or develop. I would like it if this is the case. As I keep saying, Geno ain’t it.
I’m not sold on Howell though. Time will tell I guess. MMJS obviously like something in him, so I’ll trust their judgement for now.
As a fantasy football guy I saw a lot of Howell last year and he made a lot of good throws. He also made some bad ones but who's to say some coaching might take care of that.
I can't agree with your thoughts enough on this one...other than I would take Fields in return for a Geno trade. Howell and Fields in a young, cheap QB competition for one season. A lot of what people are saying about Howell...which I don't think is wrong...applies to Fields as well. Fields also has the dual threat capability.
The Bears also have pick 9. What about pick 16 and Geno for pick 9? Might have to add a 2025 pick(maybe even our #1), but it is something to think about when we get to pick 9. There might be an attractive quarterback sitting there at 9.
Like the move, and now hopefully the Justin Fields stuff is done-
I lived in the DC area for a few years, a long, long time ago. During the Riggins, Theisman, Ewing years. And for sports fans there, it’s the DC-Baltimore metro area. 2 NFL teams, Orioles were the local baseball for the whole area, Hoyas and Terps basketball fighting it out, with UVA nearby too. All in the local sports media, with TV coverage.
So I wonder about Mike MacDonald, did he maybe pay some extra attention to the other home team? Spent a little more time watching the young 5th rounder who became the surprise starter and threw for over 4000 yards in an otherwise pretty lousy offense? Does a wonky defensive coordinator take a closer look at what the other local QB is doing?
Anyway . . . that’s my theory. MM might have had a bigger hand in this.
[Side note: HOF RB and rebel-of-his-day John Riggins is a comp for Marshawn to join that exclusive club. A discussion for another day.]
Riggins... omg what a beast he was! And Theisman--always rooted from him as an ex-CFLer in Toronto. Watching his leg break still makes me sick thinking about it.
And it could be MM was "aware" of Howell but I will also bet that JS had him on his draft board two years ago also.
Second note. Lock was 5 mil. Howell two more years under contract for 2.1. JS with some more cap savings
Noted that after his Jr year he had potential to be a late first round. Went back. Did poorly. Fell to rd 5. Sort of shows how dramatic things can be. FYI The Athletic Mike Jones gave us a B mainly due to cost. Read Denver wanted him. Hope that was true :-)
And this should pretty much clear up the Geno situation for what feels like the 100th time this offseason
https://x.com/bcondotta/status/1768405643969609857?s=46&t=GOr4QVtKtJ8ZabyL8K_o7Q
John Schneider on @WymanAndBob makes clear "Geno is the guy and Sam will be backing him up''
Not that it is a surprise but there always seems to be confusion around Geno.
Hasn’t this been a fun and interesting offseason thus far.
So exciting to watch a new era start in front of our eyes. We have a chance to have the next Andy Reid or Bill or Shanny? It could all implode, but it will be must see TV at least. Go Hawks!!
Yes … I think this is my favorite part of the year reading joes work. Keeps everyone on top of things which adds a ton of intrigue. so many theories and predictions and this and that then you get to see what actually happens.
It even makes when some people consider a full hawks week exciting.
For me personally I was really interested in what the team thought about Diggs. Kind of squared off some Seahawks factions (all in fun). I really didn’t know what was going to happen.
But yes - it has been fun and entertaining- exactly what the NfL is for!
Ah..., I see what it is you were seeing in this guy, folks. The man has the spark and aggressive drive needed to take the Moons from sub-par to looking like promise may be in store. Knowing Geno doesn't have 'It', I had to hope Lock would show us something. The 12s have been starved for it since Russ took to trying to find his glory-days self. Now we have what maybe Lock has. No more wondering. I like this move. The Wheels are again turning. Let's Howl.
The Big Wheel keeps on turnin'!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XfyEpmQM7bw
I am wondering some things:
--Fine...Howell is a cheap, young back up that could surprise you. I think it was a bit of an overpay.
--Like some have commented...makes me wonder about what Schneider truly thinks of this draft class. Personally...if you can't get Penix or Daniels I would be out myself. I think the other prospects are fools gold.
--It is clear that they are re-aligning their salary cap...which I think is wise.
--The Bears are desperate and have clearly overplayed their hand. I think still think Schneider needs to have the conversation about the Fields for Geno scenario. If you pull off that trade you now have 2 cheap, young QB's to compete for the starting gig AND you unload your reasonable, but big, contract in the QB room. Geno as the bridge QB for the Bears AND the fact that they could officially full time Williams after 1 season would have to hold some appeal.
--What are Ryan Grubb's thoughts on Howell, Geno, and Fields? Are they running this stuff by him. I get he is from the college ranks but his track record their is amazing...even before Penix.
I question that JSMM are interested in a young QB whose primary qualification is cheapness. As I’ve written before, a reliable vet QB is *very* attractive to a first-time HC whose top priority for 2024 is getting the defense turned around. Same goes for a first-time pro OC and a GM on his own for the first time. I wouldn’t trade Geno to the Bears for anything other than the #9 overall, which they aren’t going to offer no matter how much sense acquiring Geno makes. It’s not that he’s that good, it’s that he’s that valuable to Seattle.
Lot of good points!
Price was the equivalent of a seventh round pick for a QB making $1 million for two years.
SSJ...what do you think would be a reasonable Fields for Geno type of deal? I know that was not really part of your original article but I would be curious. My first thoughts would include pick swaps and maybe salary considerations where the Hawks eat some of the money. Maybe Hawks work out a way to get Fields an extra year or two in an extension but not because they picked up his 5th year.
Geno Smith to the Bears, Justin Fields to the Calgary Stampeders, season hockey tickets to the Seahawks.
Haha...touche'
HAHAHAHAH!!!
But can Fields carry a team like the Stampeders? Can he even Carry Me??
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dnjaIri_aKk
So what you’re telling me is that the Seahawks paid Geno 21 million dollars so that he could sit on the bench? If so that is the definition of stupid. Or is it so they can trade him to Chicago who apparently can’t have too many QBs. The Commanders apparently are going to start the less ready QB but not the Bears because they are brilliant when it comes to QBs.
Or could it be that the Seahawks just got a competent backup after the market for backups dried up for 4 million below what they would had to pay Lock to be a backup by trading down 2O + places from the middle of the third and fifth rounds.
The timing of the trade tells me that 1) the Seahawks learned during the combine that they are unlikely to be able to get into contention to draft any QB they are interested in this year . 2) they wanted to keep Lock but NY out bid them, 3) they are interested in taking a look at Howell before he hits the open market so that they have options next year.
Beyond that I agree that Howell is the best prospect other than Purdy of becoming a starter from the 2022 draft class. And at worst low cost backup for two years.
The only downside I can see is the number of articles speculating when we will see Howell. Answer when Geno is injured or when the Seahawks are officially eliminated from playoff contention.
I wouldn't make the assumption that the Hawks have given up on drafting a QB this year.
I'm with you...he either really is the Hawks 2024 starter or you have to wonder about the Bears
Good points on the trade timing...especially 1 and 2
Sitting Geno is not what I intended to imply.
This is cool. He's 23. He's super cheap. He's a better than average backup at worst. The trade value is fair and seems like a win-win for us and the moons. This also makes Kenneth look smart for calling out the possibility, so it's another win for SSJ.
I disagree about it being the first domino, however. I think Geno could ultimately lose the job to Howell at some point in the regular season, but they didn't acquire Howell to necessarily replace Geno. I don't think this impacts targeting a QB in the draft either.
JS probably had his eye on Howell two years ago but missed out when Washington picked him at the top of the 5th. Oh well, we had to settle for Riq Woolen instead. It's all working out as Schneider has foreseen (evil laugh)...
“The curse of Geno”
I think this trade is really almost the exact same situation as if they kept Lock and the same situation as last year.
A really bad start: 1-5 / 2-7 something like that - I think Howell comes in or if and when they are mathematically out of playoff contention
I also would not be too quick to say Geno is gone in 2025. I think this year has everything to do with 2025. Hawks win 8 or more games I think decent shot Geno gets extended. Hawks make playoffs? I think Geno is extended.
I also don’t think this move takes QB off the board for the draft.
Just a solid move at a low cost with upside potential.
Geno will have to go balls-out to stay ahead of this kid, meaning injuries will be a factor. Pete had him playing like there was no back-up QB. Geno has shown us he's very tough, but is an injured Geno worth a healthy young Howell, as we saw when Lock came in and went out?
I don’t think we disagree.
I agree that we don't disagree.
I disagree with a few of my fellow commenters that I feel are reading too much into this trade.
I worded the post in a way that may have unintentionally made it seem like I expect Howell to be replacing Geno. I did write that I expect Geno to be the Week 1 starter. I just think that Howell gives Seattle options, but I think the move was made entirely in a vacuum absent decisions in the draft or on the roster. Just an opportunity to add a QB who they like for cheap. I just want to clear that up and I take responsibility for causing any confusion there.
Entirely in a vacuum? That seems illogical. They traded semi-precious draft positions to make the trade. It wasn't for nothing. At least it takes some of the pressure off to make some move up to draft a QB. And maybe we don't need to.
I love the guy we just traded for! The AZ video was pretty detailed. Seems like a go for it player with a great arm and decent field vision. He also has some crazy legs elusiveness. I liked Drew lock, but this dude has more upside and didn't cost too much.
I read the part calling me illogical and thought we were in disagreement and then everything that came after that line I agree with.
Would I be reading too much into this to assume John does not have a particularly high opinion of the QB’s in this draft class? Why else trade draft capital on a QB we know he liked 2 years ago when he came out? Albeit, not a lot of draft capital.
QB draft classes are invariably overrated. History says that a couple of these guys will amount to something long-term and the rest will bounce around.
It’s likely that GMs rarely share the draft mavens amateur views of a given class. E.g., last year, Randy Mueller gave a first-round rating to only C J Stroud, saying that it wasn’t a tough call. (RM ranked Levis as second round, Richardson as Day 3, and said that many teams would not have Young on their board. To this day, he believes that ownership forced Richardson on a staff that didn’t want him.)
Or... He wants to have SOMEBODY in place if it happens that the QB he is targeting gets taken out from under him. Or above him. You know what I mean.
I think John has always tried to have the holes in the roster filled before the draft, as insurance.
I am starting to agree with you and Chris...I wonder if reality has set in.
Geno feels safe and he has pleasantly surprised me the past 2 years so one more year is not the end of the world. But cashing in on a desperate Bears front office just seems too tempting. There is no way that they want Fields and Williams in the same OTA QB room right after the draft. Their coach has enough problems as it is let alone dealing with that dynamic.
Imagine if you had a Fields/Howell competition for 1 season with Grubb as the OC. The Hawks would be by far the most complete offensive unit that either of these guys has ever had.
This QB room minus Geno costs you 3.7 million dollars for 2024...and both were starters on their previous teams. Seems like a cheap chance to take, not a lot of risk, but a ton of upside.
I suppose the other option is that the one(s) he likes, he knows he can’t get to.
Love this move. Totally unexpected. Seems to have a lot of upside - it does feel like it’s the first domino, however.
Trade down options are now being discussed. If the deals are there to be made, John will be busy on draft night.
If JS is able to trade back a little, pick up a 2nd rounder, and still get Penix that is a huge win. It will be interesting to watch just how much the "medicals" really turned people off to Penix
If you already have Howell on the roster, do you draft Penix? A surprise note from the article: Howell is younger than Penix and has NFL experience.
Seems like a good move. I’m gonna harken back to an earlier column where SSJ talked about how beneficial for young QBs to sit for a year.
Howell did somewhat OK last year. But I think he’d benefit from sitting for a year behind Geno. Let him learn the new offense and settle in.
Then in ‘25, let him rip.
I get the feeling this might be the first move of 2, probably 3. Get Howell, trade Geno (Sorry Mike McD) and draft another QB (Nix🙏) to compete and/or develop. I would like it if this is the case. As I keep saying, Geno ain’t it.
I’m not sold on Howell though. Time will tell I guess. MMJS obviously like something in him, so I’ll trust their judgement for now.
Anybody remember this from back in the day
Matt Flynn signed as a FA, Tavares Jackson already here, and Russ in the 3rd round.
Geno, Howell, 2024 draft pick...look familiar
As a fantasy football guy I saw a lot of Howell last year and he made a lot of good throws. He also made some bad ones but who's to say some coaching might take care of that.
Heyo I get a Shout out! My man ... All respect.
Your way could happen! Never know.
Ha ha. I know you’re a Geno fan my friend (& I’ve had a couple of cheeky digs at you about it before). Love a bit of friendly banter.