Who Should I Start? Geno Smith or Phillip Walker

Monday, January 6, 1:14 PM

When asked if he expects quarterback Geno Smith to return as the starting QB in 2025, Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald said on Seattle Sports radio, "Got no reason to say no, so I guess yeah." If Smith is still under contract with the team in mid-March, he'll earn an extra $2 million after hitting three escalators in the win over the division-rival Los Angeles Rams in the Week 18 regular-season finale. While battling injury, Smith went 20-for-27 for 223 yards and a career-high four touchdowns on Sunday to close out his fifth year with the team. His 4,320 passing yards in 2024 were among the top five in the league, but the Seahawks offense never really hit its stride this year, and Smith finished as the QB12 in overall fantasy points. Seattle could save over $30 million by cutting him this offseason, so it's not a foregone conclusion that he'll be back in 2025.

Tuesday, August 27, 8:02 PM

The Seattle Seahawks waived wide receiver Dee Eskridge and released PJ Walker, linebacker Blake Lynch, cornerback Artie Burns and safety Marquise Blair on Tuesday. Injuries limited Eskridge to 24 games (zero starts) in his three seasons with Seattle after they took him in the second round (56th overall) out of Western Michigan. In those 24 games with the Seahawks, he had just 17 receptions (34 targets) for 122 yards and one touchdown. If the 27-year-old pass-catcher clears waivers, he could rejoin the team on their practice squad. Walker will hit the open market, which isn't surprising after the team added Sam Howell as the backup to starter Geno Smith this offseason. The 29-year-old appeared in six games (two starts) with the Cleveland Browns in 2023 and completed a career-low 48.6% of his passes for 674 yards, one TD and five interceptions.