It is officially the start of a new era in the Emerald City, as the Seattle Seahawks have moved on from Russell Wilson after a 10-year partnership.
That partnership was very successful, as it resulted in back-to-back trips to the Super Bowl and its first-ever world championship.
The Seahawks acquired Drew Lock in the Wilson trade with the Denver Broncos, and Lock will presumably be their new starter for head coach Pete Carroll.
Welcome home, 2️⃣!#GoHawks x @DrewLock23 pic.twitter.com/NF9wJtkAOg
— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) March 23, 2022
But if Seattle denies it is indeed rebuilding, why doesn’t it go after a better QB and remain respectable?
There are a few better options available for the Seahawks.
3. Baker Mayfield
After the Cleveland Browns acquired star QB Deshaun Watson, Baker Mayfield is apparently on his way out of Ohio.
Although many people have soured on him after he has failed to live up to expectations, he’s still young and could flourish in a different environment.
Mayfield did have a great rookie season with 3,725 passing yards and 27 touchdowns, the latter of which was an NFL rookie record.
In 2020, he led the Browns to their first playoff appearance since 2002 while limiting his interceptions, something which has been a problem for him.
The Seahawks have reportedly had some interest in Mayfield, but they don’t seem enamored with his contract, which has one year remaining at nearly $19 million.
He never really had great stability with his wide receivers corps in Cleveland, but if he comes to Seattle, he will undoubtedly benefit from the presence of D.K. Metcalf and Tyler Lockett.
The fact that Mayfield would become a free agent a year from now would seemingly minimize the risk in taking a flyer on him.
2. Jimmy Garoppolo
Jimmy Garoppolo is another QB there for the taking who is clearly better and more proven than Lock.
He started his career as the backup for Tom Brady with the New England Patriots, but he was traded to the San Francisco 49ers in 2017, and he has been their starter ever since.
Garoppolo revitalized the 49ers after a brief downturn, and he has led them to the NFC Championship Game in two of the last three seasons, including a Super Bowl appearance in 2020, during which they led the eventual champion Kansas City Chiefs 20-10 in the fourth quarter.
Yes, he is probably not a QB who will finish the job in the Super Bowl, but he is a battle-tested veteran who had a very solid 98.7 passer rating last season and a 102.0 passer rating in 2019.
If the Niners lower their rumored price, perhaps Carroll would be open to dealing for him.
1. Colin Kaepernick
Don’t laugh at this one, but the former 49ers QB has reportedly worked out with members of the Seahawks and has talked to team officials.
Colin Kaepernick worked out today with #Seahawks WR Aaron Fuller and UW RB Kamari Pleasant. This comes after he recently trained with Tyler Lockett.
Kaepernick says he has talked to the Seahawks and is hopeful the door opens.
(via @areedk5sports) pic.twitter.com/i1x14V5WzL
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) March 23, 2022
I’m hearing enough talk on Seattle sports radio to believe that Colin Kaepernick might be competing for the Seahawks starting QB gig this season. Makes sense as Pete Carroll has already gone on record believing he was a starter in the league still.
— Matt Goodwin (@mattgoody2) March 27, 2022
Colin Kaepernick has been out of the NFL for several years, but he has reportedly been working out for a while and lobbying for another chance under center.
Let’s not forget that just nine seasons ago, he led San Fran to the Super Bowl, where it was competitive before falling to the Baltimore Ravens.
Maybe Kaepernick was never an elite QB, but in a run-heavy system such as Carroll’s, he could, at the very least, get the job done as a placeholder for a year or two.
NEXT: Pete Carroll Makes His Thoughts On DK Metcalf Clear
Dave says
No Kap!!!!!!
Bo Lasquis says
I’ll take Drew Lock over any of the three. Mayfield may have more upside potential … may … but his contract puts us right back where we were with cap space.