Seahawks coach Pete Carroll provided the lead Friday night.
Carroll was about two minutes into his opening statement in his postgame news conference when he announced that Geno Smith had won the starting quarterback job. Smith will begin the season with former quarterback Russell Wilson back in town with the Broncos.
“He’s earned it. He’s earned the job,” Carroll said. “The timing for Drew (Locke) was messed up for us. He just ran out of time in his bid. I’m clear about that.”
Lock contracted COVID-19 in the second preseason game days before his scheduled start. He did not start in the final preseason game Friday night against the Cowboys but saw extended action.
In nine positions, he threw three interceptions and one touchdown and scored 20 points with Lock as the Seahawks’ quarterback.
But since Smith re-signed with the Seahawks, it’s become clear that losing is his job. He spent two seasons as Wilson’s backup and had 34 career starts, making him the starting lock from the first day of the tournament.
“Geno, he knows our stuff and he does it really well and he understands it and he commands everything we do,” Carroll said. “He will give us a great opportunity to play great football.”
Carroll told the team of the decision in the locker room after the Cowboys’ 27-26 loss.
“It wasn’t a big reaction,” Smith said. “Obviously, I’m thankful and grateful for the opportunity, but I have a lot of work ahead of me. My mindset from the start was to go out there and win the game. It’s just one step in the process, but it’s really about winning. None of this will matter if we don’t come out and win the games we want to win.”
