Great discussion. Context is everything, and I'm hoping the Seahawks have the right people around Darnold to be successful. Sometimes it's just getting a QB thinking right, or thinking about the right things. Don't try to do too much, don't try to win the game on every play, and take what the defense gives you. Take shots when it's smart to do so. Darnold or Geno before him can both play very well in the right offense, if they can rely on the pieces around them, and the guy calling the plays.
We don't need to have a top 10 offense to win 11 or more games, but we do need to have a top 10 defense. We shall see.
Darnold gets an extra $500k if he plays at least 70% of the snaps (doesn't have more than a minor injury) and the Seahawks have a top 10 offense. Whoopty-doo, right? 500k is pretty low for an incentive (Geno's were $2m each). Tells me the Seahawks think Darnold is probably going to lead them to a top 10 offense, so he doesn't need much extra incentive to do t.
Milroe: I understand there is an expectation that Milroe will see the field this year, but I am not sure it is realistic. The Seahawks will need to either carry him as their QB2 with Lock as the Emergency QB, or they will need to have 3 QBs active on the 48 man game day roster.
What is the 48 man game day roster? While the main roster for a team is 53 players, only 48 players can be active on game day. That means at least 5 players from the 53 man roster have to be declared inactive. There can be more declared inactive if practice squad players are elevated, but there can never be more than 48 players active.
What is the Emergency QB (EQB)? The NFL allows a third QB (EQB) on game day who doesn't count against the 48 man game day roster. However, the EQB can only play if the other two QBs are injured or disqualified, and once the EQB enters the game, the other 2 QBs cannot return to the game.
The Seahawks may carry Milroe as a 3rd active QB on game day, but doing so will take away someone else who could contribute, likely on special teams, and potentially an important backup or rotational player.
Lock: Offseason/preseason performance by a backup has to be taken in the proper perspective/context because the level of competition they are facing is much lower than NFL starters. Performing well in the offseason/preseason doesn't make a backup a viable starter in the NFL.
In 2024, Lock started five of the final six games of the season for the Giants (he was inactive vs Baltimore in week 15). He went 1-4, completing 107 of 181 passes for 59.1% completion rate, with 6 TDs and 5 INTs and a 75.5 passer rating.
Among 42 NFL QBs with at least 181 attempts in 2024, Lock was:
-- 42nd in PFF Passing grade
-- 40th in PFF Offense grade
-- 39th in completion %
-- 31st in Big Time Throw Rate
-- 2nd in Turnover Worthy Play Rate
-- 36th in Adjusted Completion Percentage - the % of aimed passes thrown on target
-- 39th in Passer Rating
For as good as Lock looks in the preseason, and as much as sports entertainment media talks him up in the offseason, when he was given the reins last year, he didn't play like a starter; he played like a backup. Sure, the Giants were terrible and some of those terrible numbers can be mitigated some because he was on a terrible team. But Lock didn't redeem himself; he was part of the reason the Giants were terrible, not just the victim of them being terrible.
Very interesting on the 3 QB front. That will be something to watch as the season approaches.
As for the Lock stuff. Appreciate the data in the comment. Paints a tough picture. However, I wonder how those numbers compare to Darnold on the Jets and Panthers? I think that would be a fair comparison. I’m not sure Darnolds numbers would be too much different from Locks on that Giant team.
In fact, when I looked at advanced stats. Darnolds career is almost identical to Daniel Jones.
So, I don’t think Lock will over take Darnold but I also don’t think there is a big difference from Darnold to Lock. I actually think the downgrade from Geno to Darnold is quite a bit larger than the difference from Darnold to Lock.
I'm not sure it's fair to compare a QB in his 6th year in the NFL and on his third team to a QB on his rookie contract, but if you compare Darnold's first 3 years with the Jets with Lock's first three years with the Broncos, they are very similar.
As for the Panthers, in his first year there, his numbers look comparable, but he was 4-7 in 11 starts, so that is significantly better than 1-4.
Probably the most apt comparison between the two is in Darnold's 5th year where he started the final 6 games of the 2022 season, much like Lock started 5 of the final 6 games last year (his 6th year). Darnold went 4-2, throwing 82 of 140 on 162 dropbacks for a 58.6% completion rate with 7TDs and 3 INTs for a 92.6 passer rating.
Among 42 QBs with 162 dropbacks, Darnold was:
-- 25th in PFF passing grade
-- 31st in PFF Offense grade
-- 37th in completion %
-- 2nd in Big Time Throw Rate
-- 25th in Turnover Worthy Play Rate
-- 29th in Adjusted Completion Percentage - the % of aimed passes thrown on target
-- 15th in Passer Rating
So while Darnold's numbers in 2022 weren't impressive, he did a lot more to help the team win, resulting in a 7-10 season for the Panthers that year, than Lock did for the 3-14 Giants last year.
And let's also not forget that last year Darnold won 14 games, leading his team to the playoffs and earning a Pro Bowl selection.
Yes, higher TWP% is worse. So Darnold had one of the best Big Time Throw rates in 2022 and above average TWP%, while Lock had below average BTT% and the 2nd worst TWP%.
I cannot remain silent. You dis Lock, and then suggest Milroe is as terrible a QB as Anthony Richardson. No way, no how. Milroe is miles ahead of where Richardson is as a passer.
And I am getting tired of people taking shots at Drew Lock. If Sam goes down, I will be very interested to see how much Lock has improved, and there is no doubt in my mind that he will have improved. You call him a backup QB as though Sam wasn't a backup two years ago, and just as unsuccessful as Drew Lock in his first couple of years.
If Sam and Geno can resurrect their careers after being backups, so can Lock, and I think he will eventually start for an NFL team.
My indignation is sort of pretend, as is my entire fandom. I do love football, but emotionally, I treat football as an opportunity to step back from myself and watch myself pretend to care deeply about the outcome. I don't always succeed and find myself really caring, but that triggers my alarm and around we go.
It is more fun to care deeply what the outcome is, even when it's pretend.
On Lock: SSJ is not the only media guy/gal to almost totally ignore Lock, and look to Milroe as their great QB hope, but Drew was drafted higher for a reason, and he can play at a decent level already, which cannot be said of Milroe. I'd love for all three of them to succeed. I really would. It would only be good for the franchise.
I totally respect that! I dig your self-awareness and appreciate all your points made. I am kinda on the other end: I have to try and make myself care less and be at a healthy level of fandom where my emotional state is not tied to the success of the team. One of the ways I do that is the exercise of trying not to use "we" when speaking or writing about *our* 'Hawks. Of course, that's just me and I don't judge anyone else. Y'all can "you do you" as the kids say. Admittedly, I do have codependent tendencies that I monitor to keep myself off any figurative roller coaster rides. The literal ones are fine. Cheers!
I don't see a big difference between him and Darnold. I hope Darnold stays healthy but I would be excited to see Lock get a shot. I think Lock can play.
Milroe makes it a 5/5 excitement level for me. I'd give it the same score if Geno were still here, too. I would be excited for anyone JS drafted in the first three rounds, but Milroe's athleticism, arm talent, and character take it to eleven (or six, I guess, in this example).
Looking back at the QBs drafted in 2025, I can't imagine a better spot for Milroe to land. He might have been two picks away from heading to Cleveland instead of poor Dillon Gabriel. He's basically going to grad school for quarterbacking instead of being thrown, unprepared, into the NFL meat-grinder like so many talented QBs before him.
I keep seeing pundits argue that Milroe will have special packages and play a few crucial snaps every game. I don’t know how that works with the gameday 48. And has anyone from the actual Hawks said that’s the plan?
Kubiak confirmed it in a press conference a week ago or so. Said something to the effect 'if he earns it' to a reporter who had asked about it as a potential.
I think Pete/JS and Richardson had his apprenticeship all lined up at pick #5 and Boom! The Colts grabbed him at #4. The shock on Anthony's face when it was announced said it all.
I just watched the videos linked by SSJ. In the video describing why interceptions happen, at the 1:31 mark, he’s talking about poor route running and highlights the king of poor routes, DK Metcalf. This was at a very critical moment in the Vikings game last year. Instead of planting his foot and taking a sharp cut at a right angle to the sideline, it’s a rounded cut that drifts 5 yards downfield from where he’s suppose to be. Geno, under pressure has to throw it based on timing, and of course, DK blows the route. Thank God he’s now a Steeler for the next 5 years and $150 million.
I totally agree and will be watching the highlight reels. I expect corrections will be followed by reverting to this default play sooner than later. Maybe Rogers can read his mind...
The relationship between DK and Rodgers is going to be awful because of DK's route running. Rodgers gets notably upset if receivers aren't where they're supposed to be... it's going to be brutal.
DK wants a QB who can see when a field opens up and knows he'll go get it if he puts it down field in an otherwise empty zone. Geno wasn't willing to do that. Maybe he simply couldn't. If Rogers proves to be that kind of QB, watch out. DK's speed could make it happen.
To the surprise of no one ... I would disagree with this. For many reasons.
I think in a post Geno world ... Sam Darnold was the best option because of his ties to Kubiak. But we didn't need to live in that world. I took heat from many people last year when I said I liked the Vikings and Darnold. People said I was crazy. Said Darnold shouldn't be in the league. This year? People say I'm crazy for saying Darnold is fine. To me, nothing has really changed.
Darnold is a player with high highs and low lows. He is a product of the situation around him. If the line, coordinator, run game, pass catchers are playing well ... He will play well. He has the tools. But when things breakdown around him, he has not shown he can win despite of things around him happening. Geno is the opposite. Geno has led a bad team to three straight winning seasons despite what is going on around him. He can go out and win you games on his own. And, his worst games are extremely good compared to the league. High lows and high highs.
Additionally, Darnold may just not be able to handle the pressure mentally that comes in the NFL. He was a shell of himself in the biggest games last year. Could he learn from it and do better this year? Absolutely. People can learn and grow. But when watching the final two games the Vikings said, I'm not betting on that. Is there another team in the NFL where Darnold would start? The Raiders said no chance. Pitt didn't even look. The Vikings offered him a tweener sort of deal.
So my expectations for Darnold is that he will look great at times. But he will also cost us football games. His worst games are probably similar to watching Howell play last year or Russ play his first game back after injury. Geno's worst games are significantly better than Darnold's worst. And Geno did that without an O-line, run game, and NFL coordinator.
The Seahawks also got very little in return. It's not like the Seahawks traded their QB and got 2 firsts, three players, and 2 seconds (or whatever the Russ return was). We traded a Franchise QB when the market was at an all time low. For what? A third round pick and some cap space that we don't use? That is awful. The Raiders, Tom Brady who said he wouldn't touch Sam Darnold, are laughing on the way to the bank. I see this trade as being the exact opposite of the Russ trade. Where Geno plays well for the next 3-5 years in Vegas and people look at the Hawks as if they were crazy. Which is exactly how I think now.
And what does this say about the franchise, GM and owners? We won't guarantee any money past the present year so good players are never going to stay here? What is going to happen to Cross? Will the Seahawks actually pay their good players or keep folding their hands, collecting cap space, and never going to try and win a championship?
So for me, if this season goes the way that I think it will, Seahawks fans will be left wondering what if we kept the better QB? If we win 9 games with Darnold would we have won 11 with Geno? If we win 10 games with Darnold would we win 12 games with Geno? What if we kept DK and Geno, could we compete for a SB with those two guys and a defense that will likely be pretty darn good?
I wouldn't say there is a Howell to Geno cliff but there is a difference between a top end tier 2 QB (Geno) and a mid-level Tier 3 QB in Darnold. On top of that, we barely got anything in return (Pete Carroll played the Seahawks like a fiddle) for a top end tier 2 starting QB. So now we are left hoping for a QB to hit while the team should be gelling and looking to excel.
Seahawks can still be ok-good, but they could've been great and got little in return to pass up that opportunity, in my humble opinion.
Interesting post, thanks for making me think. Absolutely agree I'd rather see stats or at least splits vs. winning teams/big games.
Agree Geno's the better QB, especially under pressure from the usual horrible Hawk O line. Rams blitzed Darnold straight to hell, looked like he wanted to call for mommy. Guess what? Gotta play Rams 2x with the traditional, completely unproven Hawk O line. Still, I'm ok letting Geno go. Geno's a late bloomer, father time is undefeated, unlikely Geno outplays his contract.
Hawks did an ok fence sit w/Darnold. Can ya beat the Rams Sam? If Sam takes the next step, aided by new mystical NFL OC + mystical NFL O line coach, Hawks keep him, otherwise, go fish. Sam needs a Viking-quality line, which I don't see in Seattle. Maybe new "NFL-quality" O mystics improve pass blocking?
Grubb tried hat on hat, straight ahead run blocking, Hawks got stuffed close to 100%. That's not a college vs. pro thing. It's Yes/No: do you have O line 1 on 1 ass kickers? No in '24 and I don't see a bunch of "Yes" added in 2025. Good luck to Sam, O line and their coaches - they need it!
“mystical NFL OC + mystical NFL O line coach,” … I see it the same way! In Seahawks land people are talking about Kubiak like a mystical creature that will cure everything including the O line! I hope it’s true but the reality is he is running concepts that have been around since the 90s (his dad).
Just think putting these guys on god like peddles sets expectations way too high. Chances are he will be ok which would be an upgrade from last year but not setting the world on fire
I don’t quite agree with everything, but I really appreciate a rant like this. Geno was judged and blamed for way too much by way too many people. I hope for the best from Sam - younger and capable of growth, we’ll see if there’s a ceiling, but he’s on a team-friendly contract. It is really tough to get a tier 1 QB in this league, and if you’re right about Geno, I still think it’s more like a 2-3 year window for him, so I’m OK to start the transition now. Still not sure our 2027 QB is currently on the roster. Maybe, maybe not. But we’re working some options.
DK and Geno both asked to be traded and their wishes were granted. Geno showed over the past three years that he was never going to lead the team to anymore than 9 or 10 victories. I'm amazed we got a third round pick for him. Teams were not lining up to offer any amount of compensation to trade for Geno. Pete liked him and they made the trade and I'm happy for Geno in that he gets to play for Pete where he wanted to be all along. It would appear to me that most GMs and HCs didn't view Geno as you do, but more of a tier three qB.
Geno asked for an extension abs he never asked to be traded.
Let me ask you this. Do you believe that Ryan Grubb was a good coordinator? Do you believe that the Seahawks had a reasonable run game? Do you believe that the Seahawks had a reasonable offensive line?
I’m guess the answer will be no to all those.
So how the heck did the Seahawks win 10 games last year? And 9 games the two years before?
Hint: it’s the QB
Moreover, we don’t know what Geno’s market was because JS fire sold him off for basically nothing. The Hawks were in a bind becuase they didn’t want to pay the $16M roster bonus. So Pete and Tom Brady swooped in and almost stole him for nothing. We got fleeced in that deal.
Additionally, we do know what Sam Darnolds market was. Nothing, the Seahawks were the only team. Tom Brady has said that Darnold was never an option for the Raiders. There is no other team that Darnold would start for. The Vikings offered him a tweener contract low ball contract with no guarantees of starting. Steelers were uninterested etc.
Darnolds ok but he is not Geno. And unfortunately we lost our QB1 for basically nothing in return. Which stinks especially only a couple years after getting a kings ransom for a similar level QB
What your post fails at, money. Cap. Flexibility. And the actual returns. Got nothing in return? Did you miss the draft? Sure at moment it’s speculative, but absolute potential on offense and defense, and money to sign the contracts. SJ covered the “if Darnold” doesn’t pan out. What does Cross see? If you’re good, JS will pay you (see Jamaal Brown). But keeping DK, Fant and Geno, would the money have been there? That’s critical to the determination.
I thought Geno looked like a very good QB after Russ went down and his first year as a starter. After that, he seemed to regress. In my eyes, anyway. And I will be the first to admit that when I see an INT that I can't always properly diagnose if the receiver rounded his route too much or intricacies like that. But I could see when DK gave up on a route early because he didn't expect the pass, and that happened too. I really liked DK early in his career and thought he had the right attitude to take full advantage of his physical gifts, but he never consistently did. With his height and speed alone (let alone upper body strength) I still don't understand how he was so bad at contested catches. By the time we traded him, I was happy to see him go. And truth be told, I've come to peace with Pete, Geno, and almost everyone else we've jettisoned.
I think we will resign our top young talent. I see no reason to think that we won't. And outside of a top QB, it's very risky to offer 3rd and 4th contracts in this league. You can name plenty of players who were extended past age 30 who continued to play at a high level and a few that even improved. But I would wager that the list of those who did not is a longer list. The Patriots kept their dynasty rolling in part by cutting and trading players a year too soon rather than a year too late. This is largely a young man's sport. And the risk of injury only grows over time playing this brutal game. This is where I felt Pete as boss failed most.
I am also in favor of the DK trade. But I do think it makes us worse in the short term better in the long term. Which, like I said, I agree with.
Geno is a different story for me. I think the QB position, with the rule changes, and the fact he has no wear and tear for 8 years or so, makes him different than other football players. A third-round pick and some cap space is just a tough pill to swallow for what I considered to be probably our best player.
My understanding is that the Seahawks have some rules that they don't budge on when it comes to contracts. Don't quote me on this but things like guarantees in the second year and beyond of contracts. Which appears to be outdated and made it difficult to resign a guy like Geno (or extend him earlier).
I hope it doesn't happen with Cross and the other young guys that hopefully will stick around. He also whiffed on resigning Damien Lewis.
Overall, still very happy that JS got extended. I like the guy and overall body of work plus I think the team is looking real bright 3 years and beyond down the line.
I seem to remember that Geno simply didn't want to play for the Hawks any more. He was offered a contract and there was no counter. JS was right to move on.
That is certainly what the organization would like fans to think.
But here is the timeline:
- Geno Smith asked for an extension. JS refused an extend him.
- Geno Smith was given little support in Seattle and found support talking to Pete.
- JS offered Geno a low-ball offer at which point he declined to respond putting Seattle in bind because there was a roster bonus pending. At which point, Pete Carrol and Tom Brady swooped in and picked up Geno on the cheap.
- Geno was under contract with the Hawks so it is irrelevant what he wants to do, he has to play or the hawks or not at all.
This is very common in the NFL. Even just this offseason you have seen Miles Garret and Matthew Stafford do the same things. Except, their teams decided to pay their players. And guess what? The player accepted and stayed.
I am not drinking the Kool aid from the Hawks front office trying to blame an employee for getting his worth. The guy carried bad teams to winning records. The least he could get was a fair shake.
I agree, mostly. I don't buy into the narrative that he didn't want to be here. I think Geno was at the point where he didn't feel he should have to continue to prove his worth year in and year out. I think he was right, too. If ever there was a time for him to demand some guarantees beyond one year, it was this offseason. I don't think JS was willing to give him that commitment, for better or worse, and we reached an impasse.
The fact that Geno still took a long time in negotiating and eventually signing with the Raiders after the trade, makes me think he ran into the same roadblocks with their front office. However, with no impending deadlines or other obstacles, they eventually compromised on his current deal.
We'll never know what JS offered, or what Geno's camp expected, but I suspect his current deal is closer to what the Seahawks would have given him. This is pure speculation, but I feel like the Raiders got a pretty good deal for two years of his services and still view him as a bridge QB. I think he wanted more, and even if JS had given him the same offer as the Raiders, he would have wanted out to try and negotiate a better deal.
I agree with your first two paragraphs 100% and most of what you said.
I don't think Geno's long-time negotiating is uncommon especially for QBs. The Raiders believed that they could pay his $16M roster bonus plus incentives and figure out a deal later. The Seahawks panicked and didn't want to pay the $16M and figure out a deal later and fire sold him off to a place that he probably really wanted to be, in Vegas with Pete and a new fanbase.
As far as what JS offered. We won't know but we do know that he is giving Darnold $37.5M guaranteed, whereas, Geno is getting $58.5M guaranteed.
Thats a pretty big difference. I don't think the Seahawks were willing to go there and I don't think what Geno got was close to Seahawks first offer (this is the only thing that I think is different than your comment).
I think reasonable minds can disagree on whether they should have or not. I without question believe that is a very cheap for a QB of his caliber and I don't buy the age argument. I don't think Geno was well supported in Seattle. You could see last year a stark change in press conferences by JS and MM a little over half way through the season when I think they realized how upset Geno was with the situation. They gave Geno little support both from an organizational point of view with a terrible O-line and coordinator and through media relations. They left him out to dry and tried at the end to save the relationship but it was too late when Pete landed the job. Of course, money would've changed how Geno felt as money is also a sign of commitment. So, if the Hawks really wanted him to stay, they would have.
Interesting saga, time will tell who wins and loses in the trade! Either way, I am excited to see how it plays out.
Yep. We're set. Whether Darnold or Lock, Milroe will get his training in. JS will refuse any Big Money demands, spending the savings on keeping our crucial players hired. Unlike Pete, MacDonald will bring out the Growl needed for a dominant Super Bowl Champion group of men. Milroe is our best fit, in this regard. Truth is, both Lock and Darnold hold a ton of promise for leading a team to success. The Rams and the Raiders will be looking, not to mention Pittsburg. That's Schneider's Wheel House.
Milroe is a lottery ticket. Can other-world athleticism turn into an NFL.QB? When I 1st saw Lamar Jackson, his passing motion looked horrible. He improved year after year. Now he's no longer "play the run, make him beat you with the pass..." I bet that's the gleam in MM/JS eyes.
I always like a post that goes on for significant length, regardless if I agree with it or not. And I cannot say I agree wholeheartedly with you. I do believe Geno is better than Howell in a lot of ways. As Danno said, he can carry a team on his back better, but I suspect he is not as reliable as Darnold at staying on time and delivering the ball without risk. They are not identical, but their strengths and weaknesses balance out to about the same value. IMO, of course.
We'll never know now whether Geno would add two wins to what Darnold does, but it will be loads of fun watching their respective seasons play out.
Another thing that kind of gets to me in the QB discussion with the fan base it appears to me that people kind of talk out of both sides of their mouth.
They will say, well Geno wasn't that good.
Then the next thing they will say is that Darnold will be good because our coordinator is so much better than Grubb and because our line will be much better. This implies that our line was bad and our coordinator was awful in 2024. If that is the case ... then how can the QB also be bad? If you have a bad coordinator, bad o-line, no run game, how is it possible to win 10 games? Yes the defense turned out ok. But the answer is that these people don't want to see: The QB was really good. The QB overcame some horrible circumstances to deliver 10 wins. So what would that QB do in a good situation?
We will never know. Or maybe we will see what happens with the Raiders (probably a much better situation than 2024 Seahawks but a really tough division)
It will definitely be fascinating to watch the story unfold in 2025! Raiders, Seahawks, and also I iwll be following the Falcons (Penix) closely! NFL Sunday Ticket here we come. The NFL entertainment machine keeps on ticking
A funny thing re Darnold vs. Geno is after Hawks signed Darnold, the AM710 jockeys asked their Vikings radio jockey counterparts why Sam tailed off vs. Lions and Rams. The Vikes guys said the 48 accumulated sacks took a toll.
Also, none of this really matters as it is all in the past.
Full board hopeful for SD to play well, grow, and take the reins moving forward! Happy to talk about the past but not dwelling in it. Wasn't the way I would have done it. But who cares, keep moving forward.
JS has us positioned as best as any General Manager could. Looking at Pittsburg and Cleveland, it isn't an easy Given. I think it speaks highly of the Allen Family's ability to get us one of the best structured Teams in the League. Paul got us here. Jody is keeping his efforts alive, if not improving. If it was easy, everybody would be doing it.
I think Jody and her ownership group saw that her brother was successful by letting football people make the football decisions. I would like to barely know what my owner even looks like. I can't remember if it was Hard Knocks or All or Nothing, but I've seen series on the Cowboys, Cardinals, Browns and other bad organizations and the owners are EVERYWHERE. Addressing the team, hovering over the GM and coach in the draft war room, and basically inserting themselves into operations where they don't know what the *%$# they're doing. The best owners seem to excel at writing checks.
I think Pete tasked Jody with speaking up on behalf of the 12s. She did a good job of it without ownership interference, as you addressed. Just deliver a 'feel' for the front office to consider. I noted she was present for our first padded practise Monday. My bet is she spent her time in the crowd, chatting people up.
Thank you SSJ! I love this QB room. I said when they traded Geno and signed Darnold that Kubiak actually preferred Darnold to Geno. That can be true even if you feel Geno has better QB skills than Darnold. If you need a QB that can put the team on his back and win a game, I could agree that Geno is better suited to do so. However, if you need a QB to fit into a system designed to win 12 or 13 games by maximizing the offensive scheme, Darnold can also be better than Geno in this respect. Time will tell, but I feel we have a QB1 piece that fits better for a more effective and efficient offense.
Lock is a very competent backup QB2. At the end of last season, he won a game for the Giants. In his last season with the Seahawks, he won a Monday night game against a good Eagles team that included a game winning drive at the end of the 4th quarter. If we need him for a game or two, I believe he can get it done for us.
I love the person that Milroe is. He is a focused and hard working intelligent (academic Heisman) young man with insane athletic abilities. If he’s able to improve upon passing game, he does have a very high ceiling even if, as with all rookies, he is unlikely to reach it. Hopefully Darnold clicks for us and we don’t need him for more than a few situational packages this year. As to him getting a start? The only way that will happen is if we are in the same position the Rams were in last year in the last week of the season where the final game does not have an affect on our playoff position. I could see them resting Darnold and seeing what Milroe can do. This is highly unlikely.
And here is Danno beating almost everyone. Agree about Lock. And the names SJ brings in, I’m more inclined to have Lock. Winston very good and also a massive, huge, humongous INT machine. Pickett has done absolutely nothing. Lock not much more but still actually can play. Mullins, Crapalo etc etc. just like Smith coming in behind RW, Lock is a good 2nd.
lol it’s the retiring part! Yes I know you’ve posted similar comment before. Why I started my post that way…and like it. Sometimes I start my post before I read everyone else’s. I don’t have time to watch a lot of the embedded videos so love the comments of guys like you and Zez, and even Mike McD research :-)
I wouldn’t trust my research. I’m an opinionated fan whose opinions are heavily influenced by a positive belief in the success of the Seahawks. For me anyway, there’s no fun being.a fan without the belief success is around the corner. These people with negative outlooks on the Seahawks are immediately lambasted by me. I bought tickets to see Mina Kimes do a show with Cigar thoughts, Julian Love, and Danny Kelly here is Seattle. But when she picked the Seahawks to be out of the playoffs this year, I sold the tickets. If I were Julian Love, I would tell her she’s not worth my time.
Totally agree. And difference is, I lived through the Ken piece of trash scum Californian Behring days. And I was still there for the Hawks. And when “My Man” Jacob Green would sack Elway, Hawks beat Broncos, even a losing season was good. I went to Kingdome when Seafirst Bank bought tickets and kept stadium with fans so Behring couldn’t break the lease. 2-14 but watching Tez wreck Olines, still excited.
Almost anything is possible is sports. When I was a youngster I was a Giants fan, but I do remember the miracle of the NY Jets and followed a couple of years latter by the Mets coming out of no where to win it in 69. I’m certain your years of faith will be rewarded again in this new era. Despite Mina Kimes belief that we are fighting with the Cardinals to stay out of the cellar of the NFC west
Yes I also think caution is warranted, and your reference of Richardson is why. Literally no one thought Milroe was a top 5 pick, yet Richardson was — and look at what happens when you push a guy like him too early bc you’re desperate.
We gotta hope you’re right, give Milroe 2-3 yrs of further development and then throw him to the lions
Great discussion. Context is everything, and I'm hoping the Seahawks have the right people around Darnold to be successful. Sometimes it's just getting a QB thinking right, or thinking about the right things. Don't try to do too much, don't try to win the game on every play, and take what the defense gives you. Take shots when it's smart to do so. Darnold or Geno before him can both play very well in the right offense, if they can rely on the pieces around them, and the guy calling the plays.
We don't need to have a top 10 offense to win 11 or more games, but we do need to have a top 10 defense. We shall see.
Darnold gets an extra $500k if he plays at least 70% of the snaps (doesn't have more than a minor injury) and the Seahawks have a top 10 offense. Whoopty-doo, right? 500k is pretty low for an incentive (Geno's were $2m each). Tells me the Seahawks think Darnold is probably going to lead them to a top 10 offense, so he doesn't need much extra incentive to do t.
A couple notes:
Milroe: I understand there is an expectation that Milroe will see the field this year, but I am not sure it is realistic. The Seahawks will need to either carry him as their QB2 with Lock as the Emergency QB, or they will need to have 3 QBs active on the 48 man game day roster.
What is the 48 man game day roster? While the main roster for a team is 53 players, only 48 players can be active on game day. That means at least 5 players from the 53 man roster have to be declared inactive. There can be more declared inactive if practice squad players are elevated, but there can never be more than 48 players active.
What is the Emergency QB (EQB)? The NFL allows a third QB (EQB) on game day who doesn't count against the 48 man game day roster. However, the EQB can only play if the other two QBs are injured or disqualified, and once the EQB enters the game, the other 2 QBs cannot return to the game.
The Seahawks may carry Milroe as a 3rd active QB on game day, but doing so will take away someone else who could contribute, likely on special teams, and potentially an important backup or rotational player.
Lock: Offseason/preseason performance by a backup has to be taken in the proper perspective/context because the level of competition they are facing is much lower than NFL starters. Performing well in the offseason/preseason doesn't make a backup a viable starter in the NFL.
In 2024, Lock started five of the final six games of the season for the Giants (he was inactive vs Baltimore in week 15). He went 1-4, completing 107 of 181 passes for 59.1% completion rate, with 6 TDs and 5 INTs and a 75.5 passer rating.
Among 42 NFL QBs with at least 181 attempts in 2024, Lock was:
-- 42nd in PFF Passing grade
-- 40th in PFF Offense grade
-- 39th in completion %
-- 31st in Big Time Throw Rate
-- 2nd in Turnover Worthy Play Rate
-- 36th in Adjusted Completion Percentage - the % of aimed passes thrown on target
-- 39th in Passer Rating
For as good as Lock looks in the preseason, and as much as sports entertainment media talks him up in the offseason, when he was given the reins last year, he didn't play like a starter; he played like a backup. Sure, the Giants were terrible and some of those terrible numbers can be mitigated some because he was on a terrible team. But Lock didn't redeem himself; he was part of the reason the Giants were terrible, not just the victim of them being terrible.
Very interesting on the 3 QB front. That will be something to watch as the season approaches.
As for the Lock stuff. Appreciate the data in the comment. Paints a tough picture. However, I wonder how those numbers compare to Darnold on the Jets and Panthers? I think that would be a fair comparison. I’m not sure Darnolds numbers would be too much different from Locks on that Giant team.
In fact, when I looked at advanced stats. Darnolds career is almost identical to Daniel Jones.
So, I don’t think Lock will over take Darnold but I also don’t think there is a big difference from Darnold to Lock. I actually think the downgrade from Geno to Darnold is quite a bit larger than the difference from Darnold to Lock.
I'm not sure it's fair to compare a QB in his 6th year in the NFL and on his third team to a QB on his rookie contract, but if you compare Darnold's first 3 years with the Jets with Lock's first three years with the Broncos, they are very similar.
As for the Panthers, in his first year there, his numbers look comparable, but he was 4-7 in 11 starts, so that is significantly better than 1-4.
Probably the most apt comparison between the two is in Darnold's 5th year where he started the final 6 games of the 2022 season, much like Lock started 5 of the final 6 games last year (his 6th year). Darnold went 4-2, throwing 82 of 140 on 162 dropbacks for a 58.6% completion rate with 7TDs and 3 INTs for a 92.6 passer rating.
Among 42 QBs with 162 dropbacks, Darnold was:
-- 25th in PFF passing grade
-- 31st in PFF Offense grade
-- 37th in completion %
-- 2nd in Big Time Throw Rate
-- 25th in Turnover Worthy Play Rate
-- 29th in Adjusted Completion Percentage - the % of aimed passes thrown on target
-- 15th in Passer Rating
So while Darnold's numbers in 2022 weren't impressive, he did a lot more to help the team win, resulting in a 7-10 season for the Panthers that year, than Lock did for the 3-14 Giants last year.
And let's also not forget that last year Darnold won 14 games, leading his team to the playoffs and earning a Pro Bowl selection.
This is good stuff.
The turnover worthy play rate: is lower better?
Lock was 2nd which I’m assuming is bad and SD was 25th so he was 17th best out of the 42?
Yes, higher TWP% is worse. So Darnold had one of the best Big Time Throw rates in 2022 and above average TWP%, while Lock had below average BTT% and the 2nd worst TWP%.
What website do you use for TWP%?
PFF Premium stats
You make good points, and you may be correct, but that business about being on a crappy team needed to be in bold or something.
I cannot remain silent. You dis Lock, and then suggest Milroe is as terrible a QB as Anthony Richardson. No way, no how. Milroe is miles ahead of where Richardson is as a passer.
And I am getting tired of people taking shots at Drew Lock. If Sam goes down, I will be very interested to see how much Lock has improved, and there is no doubt in my mind that he will have improved. You call him a backup QB as though Sam wasn't a backup two years ago, and just as unsuccessful as Drew Lock in his first couple of years.
If Sam and Geno can resurrect their careers after being backups, so can Lock, and I think he will eventually start for an NFL team.
Agree with your points, if not your indignation
My indignation is sort of pretend, as is my entire fandom. I do love football, but emotionally, I treat football as an opportunity to step back from myself and watch myself pretend to care deeply about the outcome. I don't always succeed and find myself really caring, but that triggers my alarm and around we go.
It is more fun to care deeply what the outcome is, even when it's pretend.
On Lock: SSJ is not the only media guy/gal to almost totally ignore Lock, and look to Milroe as their great QB hope, but Drew was drafted higher for a reason, and he can play at a decent level already, which cannot be said of Milroe. I'd love for all three of them to succeed. I really would. It would only be good for the franchise.
I totally respect that! I dig your self-awareness and appreciate all your points made. I am kinda on the other end: I have to try and make myself care less and be at a healthy level of fandom where my emotional state is not tied to the success of the team. One of the ways I do that is the exercise of trying not to use "we" when speaking or writing about *our* 'Hawks. Of course, that's just me and I don't judge anyone else. Y'all can "you do you" as the kids say. Admittedly, I do have codependent tendencies that I monitor to keep myself off any figurative roller coaster rides. The literal ones are fine. Cheers!
I am with you on Lock.
I don't see a big difference between him and Darnold. I hope Darnold stays healthy but I would be excited to see Lock get a shot. I think Lock can play.
Milroe makes it a 5/5 excitement level for me. I'd give it the same score if Geno were still here, too. I would be excited for anyone JS drafted in the first three rounds, but Milroe's athleticism, arm talent, and character take it to eleven (or six, I guess, in this example).
Looking back at the QBs drafted in 2025, I can't imagine a better spot for Milroe to land. He might have been two picks away from heading to Cleveland instead of poor Dillon Gabriel. He's basically going to grad school for quarterbacking instead of being thrown, unprepared, into the NFL meat-grinder like so many talented QBs before him.
I keep seeing pundits argue that Milroe will have special packages and play a few crucial snaps every game. I don’t know how that works with the gameday 48. And has anyone from the actual Hawks said that’s the plan?
Kubiak confirmed it in a press conference a week ago or so. Said something to the effect 'if he earns it' to a reporter who had asked about it as a potential.
Ah. Thanks. Be interesting to see if it happens, and how it works.
I think Pete/JS and Richardson had his apprenticeship all lined up at pick #5 and Boom! The Colts grabbed him at #4. The shock on Anthony's face when it was announced said it all.
Poor kid. Hopefully it all worked out for the best; for us, at least.
I just watched the videos linked by SSJ. In the video describing why interceptions happen, at the 1:31 mark, he’s talking about poor route running and highlights the king of poor routes, DK Metcalf. This was at a very critical moment in the Vikings game last year. Instead of planting his foot and taking a sharp cut at a right angle to the sideline, it’s a rounded cut that drifts 5 yards downfield from where he’s suppose to be. Geno, under pressure has to throw it based on timing, and of course, DK blows the route. Thank God he’s now a Steeler for the next 5 years and $150 million.
Amen.
I totally agree and will be watching the highlight reels. I expect corrections will be followed by reverting to this default play sooner than later. Maybe Rogers can read his mind...
I think part of Mike Tomlin's longevity is his unseen ability to get big egos to play the way he tells them to play.
I think DK will be better for it.
The relationship between DK and Rodgers is going to be awful because of DK's route running. Rodgers gets notably upset if receivers aren't where they're supposed to be... it's going to be brutal.
Dumpster fire, anyone? Trainwreck, anyone? It has the potential to be disastrously riveting
Can’t wait for week 2!
Big egos and hard heads have worked well together before, but Metcalf and Rodgers could be fun to watch up close.
DK wants a QB who can see when a field opens up and knows he'll go get it if he puts it down field in an otherwise empty zone. Geno wasn't willing to do that. Maybe he simply couldn't. If Rogers proves to be that kind of QB, watch out. DK's speed could make it happen.
Woolen is as fast, and he use to give DK fits in preseason practice.
I have no faith in Rogers, that tank is empty.
Media fueled by reputation only.
To the surprise of no one ... I would disagree with this. For many reasons.
I think in a post Geno world ... Sam Darnold was the best option because of his ties to Kubiak. But we didn't need to live in that world. I took heat from many people last year when I said I liked the Vikings and Darnold. People said I was crazy. Said Darnold shouldn't be in the league. This year? People say I'm crazy for saying Darnold is fine. To me, nothing has really changed.
Darnold is a player with high highs and low lows. He is a product of the situation around him. If the line, coordinator, run game, pass catchers are playing well ... He will play well. He has the tools. But when things breakdown around him, he has not shown he can win despite of things around him happening. Geno is the opposite. Geno has led a bad team to three straight winning seasons despite what is going on around him. He can go out and win you games on his own. And, his worst games are extremely good compared to the league. High lows and high highs.
Additionally, Darnold may just not be able to handle the pressure mentally that comes in the NFL. He was a shell of himself in the biggest games last year. Could he learn from it and do better this year? Absolutely. People can learn and grow. But when watching the final two games the Vikings said, I'm not betting on that. Is there another team in the NFL where Darnold would start? The Raiders said no chance. Pitt didn't even look. The Vikings offered him a tweener sort of deal.
So my expectations for Darnold is that he will look great at times. But he will also cost us football games. His worst games are probably similar to watching Howell play last year or Russ play his first game back after injury. Geno's worst games are significantly better than Darnold's worst. And Geno did that without an O-line, run game, and NFL coordinator.
The Seahawks also got very little in return. It's not like the Seahawks traded their QB and got 2 firsts, three players, and 2 seconds (or whatever the Russ return was). We traded a Franchise QB when the market was at an all time low. For what? A third round pick and some cap space that we don't use? That is awful. The Raiders, Tom Brady who said he wouldn't touch Sam Darnold, are laughing on the way to the bank. I see this trade as being the exact opposite of the Russ trade. Where Geno plays well for the next 3-5 years in Vegas and people look at the Hawks as if they were crazy. Which is exactly how I think now.
And what does this say about the franchise, GM and owners? We won't guarantee any money past the present year so good players are never going to stay here? What is going to happen to Cross? Will the Seahawks actually pay their good players or keep folding their hands, collecting cap space, and never going to try and win a championship?
So for me, if this season goes the way that I think it will, Seahawks fans will be left wondering what if we kept the better QB? If we win 9 games with Darnold would we have won 11 with Geno? If we win 10 games with Darnold would we win 12 games with Geno? What if we kept DK and Geno, could we compete for a SB with those two guys and a defense that will likely be pretty darn good?
I wouldn't say there is a Howell to Geno cliff but there is a difference between a top end tier 2 QB (Geno) and a mid-level Tier 3 QB in Darnold. On top of that, we barely got anything in return (Pete Carroll played the Seahawks like a fiddle) for a top end tier 2 starting QB. So now we are left hoping for a QB to hit while the team should be gelling and looking to excel.
Seahawks can still be ok-good, but they could've been great and got little in return to pass up that opportunity, in my humble opinion.
Interesting post, thanks for making me think. Absolutely agree I'd rather see stats or at least splits vs. winning teams/big games.
Agree Geno's the better QB, especially under pressure from the usual horrible Hawk O line. Rams blitzed Darnold straight to hell, looked like he wanted to call for mommy. Guess what? Gotta play Rams 2x with the traditional, completely unproven Hawk O line. Still, I'm ok letting Geno go. Geno's a late bloomer, father time is undefeated, unlikely Geno outplays his contract.
Hawks did an ok fence sit w/Darnold. Can ya beat the Rams Sam? If Sam takes the next step, aided by new mystical NFL OC + mystical NFL O line coach, Hawks keep him, otherwise, go fish. Sam needs a Viking-quality line, which I don't see in Seattle. Maybe new "NFL-quality" O mystics improve pass blocking?
Grubb tried hat on hat, straight ahead run blocking, Hawks got stuffed close to 100%. That's not a college vs. pro thing. It's Yes/No: do you have O line 1 on 1 ass kickers? No in '24 and I don't see a bunch of "Yes" added in 2025. Good luck to Sam, O line and their coaches - they need it!
I enjoyed reading this comment
“mystical NFL OC + mystical NFL O line coach,” … I see it the same way! In Seahawks land people are talking about Kubiak like a mystical creature that will cure everything including the O line! I hope it’s true but the reality is he is running concepts that have been around since the 90s (his dad).
Just think putting these guys on god like peddles sets expectations way too high. Chances are he will be ok which would be an upgrade from last year but not setting the world on fire
I don’t quite agree with everything, but I really appreciate a rant like this. Geno was judged and blamed for way too much by way too many people. I hope for the best from Sam - younger and capable of growth, we’ll see if there’s a ceiling, but he’s on a team-friendly contract. It is really tough to get a tier 1 QB in this league, and if you’re right about Geno, I still think it’s more like a 2-3 year window for him, so I’m OK to start the transition now. Still not sure our 2027 QB is currently on the roster. Maybe, maybe not. But we’re working some options.
Super important point.
DK and Geno both asked to be traded and their wishes were granted. Geno showed over the past three years that he was never going to lead the team to anymore than 9 or 10 victories. I'm amazed we got a third round pick for him. Teams were not lining up to offer any amount of compensation to trade for Geno. Pete liked him and they made the trade and I'm happy for Geno in that he gets to play for Pete where he wanted to be all along. It would appear to me that most GMs and HCs didn't view Geno as you do, but more of a tier three qB.
Couple things here to unpack.
Geno asked for an extension abs he never asked to be traded.
Let me ask you this. Do you believe that Ryan Grubb was a good coordinator? Do you believe that the Seahawks had a reasonable run game? Do you believe that the Seahawks had a reasonable offensive line?
I’m guess the answer will be no to all those.
So how the heck did the Seahawks win 10 games last year? And 9 games the two years before?
Hint: it’s the QB
Moreover, we don’t know what Geno’s market was because JS fire sold him off for basically nothing. The Hawks were in a bind becuase they didn’t want to pay the $16M roster bonus. So Pete and Tom Brady swooped in and almost stole him for nothing. We got fleeced in that deal.
Additionally, we do know what Sam Darnolds market was. Nothing, the Seahawks were the only team. Tom Brady has said that Darnold was never an option for the Raiders. There is no other team that Darnold would start for. The Vikings offered him a tweener contract low ball contract with no guarantees of starting. Steelers were uninterested etc.
Darnolds ok but he is not Geno. And unfortunately we lost our QB1 for basically nothing in return. Which stinks especially only a couple years after getting a kings ransom for a similar level QB
What your post fails at, money. Cap. Flexibility. And the actual returns. Got nothing in return? Did you miss the draft? Sure at moment it’s speculative, but absolute potential on offense and defense, and money to sign the contracts. SJ covered the “if Darnold” doesn’t pan out. What does Cross see? If you’re good, JS will pay you (see Jamaal Brown). But keeping DK, Fant and Geno, would the money have been there? That’s critical to the determination.
I thought Geno looked like a very good QB after Russ went down and his first year as a starter. After that, he seemed to regress. In my eyes, anyway. And I will be the first to admit that when I see an INT that I can't always properly diagnose if the receiver rounded his route too much or intricacies like that. But I could see when DK gave up on a route early because he didn't expect the pass, and that happened too. I really liked DK early in his career and thought he had the right attitude to take full advantage of his physical gifts, but he never consistently did. With his height and speed alone (let alone upper body strength) I still don't understand how he was so bad at contested catches. By the time we traded him, I was happy to see him go. And truth be told, I've come to peace with Pete, Geno, and almost everyone else we've jettisoned.
I think we will resign our top young talent. I see no reason to think that we won't. And outside of a top QB, it's very risky to offer 3rd and 4th contracts in this league. You can name plenty of players who were extended past age 30 who continued to play at a high level and a few that even improved. But I would wager that the list of those who did not is a longer list. The Patriots kept their dynasty rolling in part by cutting and trading players a year too soon rather than a year too late. This is largely a young man's sport. And the risk of injury only grows over time playing this brutal game. This is where I felt Pete as boss failed most.
Yeah ... Well said.
I am also in favor of the DK trade. But I do think it makes us worse in the short term better in the long term. Which, like I said, I agree with.
Geno is a different story for me. I think the QB position, with the rule changes, and the fact he has no wear and tear for 8 years or so, makes him different than other football players. A third-round pick and some cap space is just a tough pill to swallow for what I considered to be probably our best player.
My understanding is that the Seahawks have some rules that they don't budge on when it comes to contracts. Don't quote me on this but things like guarantees in the second year and beyond of contracts. Which appears to be outdated and made it difficult to resign a guy like Geno (or extend him earlier).
I hope it doesn't happen with Cross and the other young guys that hopefully will stick around. He also whiffed on resigning Damien Lewis.
Overall, still very happy that JS got extended. I like the guy and overall body of work plus I think the team is looking real bright 3 years and beyond down the line.
I seem to remember that Geno simply didn't want to play for the Hawks any more. He was offered a contract and there was no counter. JS was right to move on.
That is certainly what the organization would like fans to think.
But here is the timeline:
- Geno Smith asked for an extension. JS refused an extend him.
- Geno Smith was given little support in Seattle and found support talking to Pete.
- JS offered Geno a low-ball offer at which point he declined to respond putting Seattle in bind because there was a roster bonus pending. At which point, Pete Carrol and Tom Brady swooped in and picked up Geno on the cheap.
- Geno was under contract with the Hawks so it is irrelevant what he wants to do, he has to play or the hawks or not at all.
This is very common in the NFL. Even just this offseason you have seen Miles Garret and Matthew Stafford do the same things. Except, their teams decided to pay their players. And guess what? The player accepted and stayed.
I am not drinking the Kool aid from the Hawks front office trying to blame an employee for getting his worth. The guy carried bad teams to winning records. The least he could get was a fair shake.
I agree, mostly. I don't buy into the narrative that he didn't want to be here. I think Geno was at the point where he didn't feel he should have to continue to prove his worth year in and year out. I think he was right, too. If ever there was a time for him to demand some guarantees beyond one year, it was this offseason. I don't think JS was willing to give him that commitment, for better or worse, and we reached an impasse.
The fact that Geno still took a long time in negotiating and eventually signing with the Raiders after the trade, makes me think he ran into the same roadblocks with their front office. However, with no impending deadlines or other obstacles, they eventually compromised on his current deal.
We'll never know what JS offered, or what Geno's camp expected, but I suspect his current deal is closer to what the Seahawks would have given him. This is pure speculation, but I feel like the Raiders got a pretty good deal for two years of his services and still view him as a bridge QB. I think he wanted more, and even if JS had given him the same offer as the Raiders, he would have wanted out to try and negotiate a better deal.
I agree with your first two paragraphs 100% and most of what you said.
I don't think Geno's long-time negotiating is uncommon especially for QBs. The Raiders believed that they could pay his $16M roster bonus plus incentives and figure out a deal later. The Seahawks panicked and didn't want to pay the $16M and figure out a deal later and fire sold him off to a place that he probably really wanted to be, in Vegas with Pete and a new fanbase.
As far as what JS offered. We won't know but we do know that he is giving Darnold $37.5M guaranteed, whereas, Geno is getting $58.5M guaranteed.
Thats a pretty big difference. I don't think the Seahawks were willing to go there and I don't think what Geno got was close to Seahawks first offer (this is the only thing that I think is different than your comment).
I think reasonable minds can disagree on whether they should have or not. I without question believe that is a very cheap for a QB of his caliber and I don't buy the age argument. I don't think Geno was well supported in Seattle. You could see last year a stark change in press conferences by JS and MM a little over half way through the season when I think they realized how upset Geno was with the situation. They gave Geno little support both from an organizational point of view with a terrible O-line and coordinator and through media relations. They left him out to dry and tried at the end to save the relationship but it was too late when Pete landed the job. Of course, money would've changed how Geno felt as money is also a sign of commitment. So, if the Hawks really wanted him to stay, they would have.
Interesting saga, time will tell who wins and loses in the trade! Either way, I am excited to see how it plays out.
Yep. We're set. Whether Darnold or Lock, Milroe will get his training in. JS will refuse any Big Money demands, spending the savings on keeping our crucial players hired. Unlike Pete, MacDonald will bring out the Growl needed for a dominant Super Bowl Champion group of men. Milroe is our best fit, in this regard. Truth is, both Lock and Darnold hold a ton of promise for leading a team to success. The Rams and the Raiders will be looking, not to mention Pittsburg. That's Schneider's Wheel House.
Milroe is a lottery ticket. Can other-world athleticism turn into an NFL.QB? When I 1st saw Lamar Jackson, his passing motion looked horrible. He improved year after year. Now he's no longer "play the run, make him beat you with the pass..." I bet that's the gleam in MM/JS eyes.
I always like a post that goes on for significant length, regardless if I agree with it or not. And I cannot say I agree wholeheartedly with you. I do believe Geno is better than Howell in a lot of ways. As Danno said, he can carry a team on his back better, but I suspect he is not as reliable as Darnold at staying on time and delivering the ball without risk. They are not identical, but their strengths and weaknesses balance out to about the same value. IMO, of course.
We'll never know now whether Geno would add two wins to what Darnold does, but it will be loads of fun watching their respective seasons play out.
Yeah. Appreciate the comment.
Another thing that kind of gets to me in the QB discussion with the fan base it appears to me that people kind of talk out of both sides of their mouth.
They will say, well Geno wasn't that good.
Then the next thing they will say is that Darnold will be good because our coordinator is so much better than Grubb and because our line will be much better. This implies that our line was bad and our coordinator was awful in 2024. If that is the case ... then how can the QB also be bad? If you have a bad coordinator, bad o-line, no run game, how is it possible to win 10 games? Yes the defense turned out ok. But the answer is that these people don't want to see: The QB was really good. The QB overcame some horrible circumstances to deliver 10 wins. So what would that QB do in a good situation?
We will never know. Or maybe we will see what happens with the Raiders (probably a much better situation than 2024 Seahawks but a really tough division)
It will definitely be fascinating to watch the story unfold in 2025! Raiders, Seahawks, and also I iwll be following the Falcons (Penix) closely! NFL Sunday Ticket here we come. The NFL entertainment machine keeps on ticking
A funny thing re Darnold vs. Geno is after Hawks signed Darnold, the AM710 jockeys asked their Vikings radio jockey counterparts why Sam tailed off vs. Lions and Rams. The Vikes guys said the 48 accumulated sacks took a toll.
Guess what?. Geno was sacked.50. Oops.
Also, none of this really matters as it is all in the past.
Full board hopeful for SD to play well, grow, and take the reins moving forward! Happy to talk about the past but not dwelling in it. Wasn't the way I would have done it. But who cares, keep moving forward.
JS has us positioned as best as any General Manager could. Looking at Pittsburg and Cleveland, it isn't an easy Given. I think it speaks highly of the Allen Family's ability to get us one of the best structured Teams in the League. Paul got us here. Jody is keeping his efforts alive, if not improving. If it was easy, everybody would be doing it.
Just posted on yesterday’s post about JS. What Paul did. Take a look. Totally agree Jimmy. And I’m a happy Hawks fan for it.
I think Jody and her ownership group saw that her brother was successful by letting football people make the football decisions. I would like to barely know what my owner even looks like. I can't remember if it was Hard Knocks or All or Nothing, but I've seen series on the Cowboys, Cardinals, Browns and other bad organizations and the owners are EVERYWHERE. Addressing the team, hovering over the GM and coach in the draft war room, and basically inserting themselves into operations where they don't know what the *%$# they're doing. The best owners seem to excel at writing checks.
Jets. Browns. So many needling owners.
I think Pete tasked Jody with speaking up on behalf of the 12s. She did a good job of it without ownership interference, as you addressed. Just deliver a 'feel' for the front office to consider. I noted she was present for our first padded practise Monday. My bet is she spent her time in the crowd, chatting people up.
Thank you SSJ! I love this QB room. I said when they traded Geno and signed Darnold that Kubiak actually preferred Darnold to Geno. That can be true even if you feel Geno has better QB skills than Darnold. If you need a QB that can put the team on his back and win a game, I could agree that Geno is better suited to do so. However, if you need a QB to fit into a system designed to win 12 or 13 games by maximizing the offensive scheme, Darnold can also be better than Geno in this respect. Time will tell, but I feel we have a QB1 piece that fits better for a more effective and efficient offense.
Lock is a very competent backup QB2. At the end of last season, he won a game for the Giants. In his last season with the Seahawks, he won a Monday night game against a good Eagles team that included a game winning drive at the end of the 4th quarter. If we need him for a game or two, I believe he can get it done for us.
I love the person that Milroe is. He is a focused and hard working intelligent (academic Heisman) young man with insane athletic abilities. If he’s able to improve upon passing game, he does have a very high ceiling even if, as with all rookies, he is unlikely to reach it. Hopefully Darnold clicks for us and we don’t need him for more than a few situational packages this year. As to him getting a start? The only way that will happen is if we are in the same position the Rams were in last year in the last week of the season where the final game does not have an affect on our playoff position. I could see them resting Darnold and seeing what Milroe can do. This is highly unlikely.
And here is Danno beating almost everyone. Agree about Lock. And the names SJ brings in, I’m more inclined to have Lock. Winston very good and also a massive, huge, humongous INT machine. Pickett has done absolutely nothing. Lock not much more but still actually can play. Mullins, Crapalo etc etc. just like Smith coming in behind RW, Lock is a good 2nd.
I learned all about notifications about 6 months ago. You just need to retire and find out what that chirping noise is.
lol it’s the retiring part! Yes I know you’ve posted similar comment before. Why I started my post that way…and like it. Sometimes I start my post before I read everyone else’s. I don’t have time to watch a lot of the embedded videos so love the comments of guys like you and Zez, and even Mike McD research :-)
I wouldn’t trust my research. I’m an opinionated fan whose opinions are heavily influenced by a positive belief in the success of the Seahawks. For me anyway, there’s no fun being.a fan without the belief success is around the corner. These people with negative outlooks on the Seahawks are immediately lambasted by me. I bought tickets to see Mina Kimes do a show with Cigar thoughts, Julian Love, and Danny Kelly here is Seattle. But when she picked the Seahawks to be out of the playoffs this year, I sold the tickets. If I were Julian Love, I would tell her she’s not worth my time.
Totally agree. And difference is, I lived through the Ken piece of trash scum Californian Behring days. And I was still there for the Hawks. And when “My Man” Jacob Green would sack Elway, Hawks beat Broncos, even a losing season was good. I went to Kingdome when Seafirst Bank bought tickets and kept stadium with fans so Behring couldn’t break the lease. 2-14 but watching Tez wreck Olines, still excited.
Tez was the best!
Almost anything is possible is sports. When I was a youngster I was a Giants fan, but I do remember the miracle of the NY Jets and followed a couple of years latter by the Mets coming out of no where to win it in 69. I’m certain your years of faith will be rewarded again in this new era. Despite Mina Kimes belief that we are fighting with the Cardinals to stay out of the cellar of the NFC west
Yes I also think caution is warranted, and your reference of Richardson is why. Literally no one thought Milroe was a top 5 pick, yet Richardson was — and look at what happens when you push a guy like him too early bc you’re desperate.
We gotta hope you’re right, give Milroe 2-3 yrs of further development and then throw him to the lions