Pete Carroll shakes off Seahawks QB controversy: 'Geno is our starter'

Field Level Media|published: Tue 19th December, 10:12 2023

Dec 4, 2022; Inglewood, California, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) and quarterback Drew Lock (2) take the field before playing against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium. credits: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

So, Seattle, Drew or Geno?

Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll shot down any suggestion of a quarterback controversy in the afterglow of Drew Lock's last-minute, game-winning-TD that lifted Seattle to 7-7 to remain in the wildcard hunt on Monday night.

Lock dropped a deep ball on the fingertips of rookie wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba for a 29-yard touchdown pass with 28 seconds left to give Seattle a 20-17 upset of the Philadelphia Eagles.

Subbing for injured starter Geno Smith, Lock piloted the Seahawks — starting at their own 8 with 1:52 left in the game — on only their third TD drive of 80 yards or more this season to snap a four-game losing streak.

But Carroll said Smith, out the past two games with a groin injury, is due back Sunday at Tennessee in another critical spot.

"Geno is our starter," Carroll said of how he'd handle the QB spot against the Titans (5-9).

Carroll said Smith went through a rigorous pregame workout and was ready to start. But Carroll and general manager John Schneider decided to play it safe and start Lock.

"It was hard as can be on Geno (to tell him), 'We will go with the other player, see if we can make it to next week,'" Carroll said.

Smith has thrown for 2,918 yards with 15 touchdowns and nine interceptions while going 6-6 in his starts. Lock is 1-1 as the starter, completing 48 of 76 passes for 543 yards with three TDs and three picks.

—Field Level Media