Less than 72 hours before the start of the NFL‘s free agency negotiating period, the Seattle Seahawks shook up the quarterback picture with a surprising trade. The Seahawks sent Geno Smith to the Las Vegas Raiders for a third-round pick, opening up a new starting quarterback slot.
While the Seahawks will surely acquire another passer in the aftermath of the trade, who is left on Seattle’s current quarterback depth chart entering free agency?
Seattle Seahawks QB Depth Chart After Geno Smith Trade
1) Sam Howell
The former fifth-round pick by the Washington Commanders in 2022 spent last year as Smith’s backup in Seattle. The Seahawks acquired Sam Howell from the Commanders for a pair of mid-round pick swaps last March.
Howell appeared in two games with no starts but did see meaningful playing time in Week 15 on Sunday Night Football versus the Green Bay Packers. With Smith hurting his leg, Howell went 5-for-14 for 24 yards, one interception, and four sacks.
Taking sacks was a huge issue for Howell in Washington. In 2023, when he started all 17 games for the Commanders, Howell took a league-worst 65 sacks. He also led the NFL with 21 interceptions thrown, the most by any player over the past five seasons.
Howell will enter the final year of his rookie contract in 2025, making him an unrestricted free agent next offseason.
2) Jaren Hall
A former fifth-round pick by the Minnesota Vikings in 2023, Jaren Hall actually started two games for Minnesota as a rookie. However, he left both games early for different reasons.
In Week 9 at the Atlanta Falcons, Hall was concussed after throwing just six passes and left the game. Joshua Dobbs, who had yet to practice with the team after being acquired via a trade five days earlier, somehow led Minnesota to a 31-28 road win.
SEE MORE: Seattle Seahawks Depth Chart
Dobbs eventually was benched after struggling in December, leading Hall to start a Week 17 home game on Sunday Night Football against — coincidentally — the Packers. Hall went 5-for-10 with an interception, fumble, and three sacks taken, leading to him being benched for Nick Mullens.
Hall did not see a second season in Minnesota, getting cut at the end of training camp before the 2024 season. Seattle signed him and kept him on the practice squad for the majority of the season as Hall did not appear in a game.
Seattle gave Hall a two-year deal, so he is also under contract for 2025. Unlike Howell, Hall is scheduled for restricted free agency next offseason (if the Vikings choose to tender him a one-year contract).