Worst case is both Geno and Lock sign elsewhere and you’re left sorting through journeyman with limited upside.
What if the front office doesn't think Lock has potential? The Broncos were happy to move on from him as a potential starter and the Seahawks may feel the same way. Lock can play but he makes way too many game-altering mistakes. He's a #2 QB. I'm sure he doesn't see it that way. Either way why does he sign with any team before he knows what that team is committing to at the #1 QB position?
If they don’t (entirely possible), I’d sign the QB with the highest upside who comes at a lower cost eg Huntley, Darnold, etc.
Maybe Lock looks at the list of top 20 QBs and tries to place himself against the QB he has the best chance of displacing, (through injury or loss of form). Maybe that QB is Smith and he follows him in free agency. Teams without a top 20 QB are likely to take 2 of the 21-48 QB group or 1 of them and a top rookie. I'm not sure a team with a Mayfield/Darnold/Mariota type #1 QB is going to go with Lock at #2 QB. Who knows? All the speculation and differing points of view are entertaining.
Geno and Lock had a competition, Geno won, and last season we never had a game where Lock got to play and show. Only coaches knew what Lock got, and without playing coaches can't be sure too. Everything Pete has been saying lately about QBs, that they need 2nd chances etc., he could be talking about Lock too?Maybe Lock looks at the list of top 20 QBs and tries to place himself against the QB he has the best chance of displacing, (through injury or loss of form). Maybe that QB is Smith and he follows him in free agency. Teams without a top 20 QB are likely to take 2 of the 21-48 QB group or 1 of them and a top rookie. I'm not sure a team with a Mayfield/Darnold/Mariota type #1 QB is going to go with Lock at #2 QB. Who knows? All the speculation and differing points of view are entertaining.
I'm not trying to be harsh on Lock. I thought he was a top 40 or top 48 QB going into last season. It's just that a lot of the 2022 QB Draft class have been better than projected and the 2023 class also looks strong. A year on the bench has hurt Lock's profile.
Lock could be good in 2023. The problem is he hasn't had a good season in 4 years and 'arguably' he's lost QB competitions to an ageing Flacco, a post-injury Bridgewater, and a 9 year under-achiever in Smith. That's very unfair but GMs are going to look at Lock's 2021 tape and what he did in the 2022 preseason. Lock wants a shot at a starter's job but GMs are probably looking at him as competition for an existing veteran #2 QB, (Love - Packers, McCoy - Cardinals, etc). If the Seahawks re-sign Smith then Lock is a viable #2 QB candidate. If they don't and they pick a QB high in the Draft I think they want a more proven QB as the bridge. Again, who knows? March will be fun.
Geno will go where $$$ is, and reasonably so, this is his last big pay check. I think we can start Lock if we draft a future franchise QB in this draft. If Lock play well next season, and the rookie also flashes, we can trade Lock. Lock will have trade value if he has a season or even half a season to show that he got what it takes.
I think Darnold would be the choice from this list.
The problem is Lock can look like a dumpster fire at times and Seattle fans aren't known for their patience or quiet acceptance of dumpster fire play. If you're prepared to play a high pick rookie even if he isn't ready then fair enough, but the situation could get really ugly - really quickly. If the rookie is NFL ready then no worries. Darnold, Mariota, Bridgewater, Heinicke, etc would be safer insurance choices and probably not a lot more expensive.
That sounds good, except that during our only sb win, we pretty much had a world beater qb in his prime. Not sure the average point guard qb is enough today, given the competition. Imo, we need someone who can take over a game if necessary and will the team to a win, and who really tilts the field.
