12:28 p.m. ET
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Brady Henderson ESPN
Geno Smith has edged out Drew Lock in the Seattle Seahawks quarterback competition and will start the team’s opener Sept. 12 against Russell Wilson and the Denver Broncos, Pete Carroll said Friday.
Carroll made the announcement after the Seahawks’ preseason finale — a 27-26 loss to the Dallas Cowboys — and said he has informed the team. Smith started Friday night, leading a field goal on his only drive before giving way to Lock, who threw a touchdown pass and three interceptions, two of which weren’t entirely his fault.
Carroll has said all along that Smith has been ahead of Lock, noting multiple times how Wilson’s former backup has had the upper hand in terms of his understanding of Seattle’s offense.
“He’s earned it,” Carroll said. “He won the job.”
Smith said he learned of Carroll’s decision when the coach addressed the team in the locker room after the game.
“Obviously I’m grateful for the opportunity and grateful,” said Smith, who backed up Wilson the past three seasons and started three games last year while Wilson was injured. “But I have a lot of work ahead of me.”
Smith took the vast majority of first-team reps for the Seahawks this summer and started all three preseason games, though Lock was scheduled to start the second before testing positive for COVID-19.
“I have no doubt he can play,” Carroll said of Lock, who was acquired from Denver in the Wilson trade. “I think he’s going to be a fantastic footballer soon.”
Smith and Lock have said they would have each other’s backs no matter what the competition brings, something Lock reiterated after Carroll’s announcement.
“As a competitor, you’re always disappointed,” Lock said of his reaction to learning Smith won the job. “… But now it’s my job to have my back.”
Lock said her recent bout with COVID “kicked my ass,” calling it an interesting experience because she only had a headache when she first got it. Lock tested positive on August 16, sidelining him for Seattle’s second preseason game two days later.
Between the Seahawks’ mock game at Lumen Field and their two preseason games, he completed 42 of 66 passes (64 percent) for 458 yards, four touchdowns, three interceptions and one fumble.
In the four games, Smith was 33 of 58 (57%) for 350 yards, no touchdowns and no turnovers.