The Seattle Seahawks are Geno Smith’s team, but there’s a contingency plan now in place after the team traded for Sam Howell from the Washington Commanders earlier this month.

Bleacher Report says that the Howell trade was the smartest move for the Seahawks this offseason.

Seattle Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99) sacks Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell (14) during the second quarter at Lumen Field.
© Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

“After winning Comeback Player of the Year in 2022, Smith tailed off a bit this past season. He still earned his second straight Pro Bowl nod, but the Seahawks passing offense finished 14th in yards and 20th in touchdowns this past season compared to 11th and fourth in those respective categories in 2022,” Bleacher Report writes. “If Smith’s numbers continue to trend in the wrong direction, the Seahawks have a potential replacement in Howell, who’s on a much cheaper deal.

Howell started all 17 games for the Commanders, and while he started off 2-0, he only won two of his final 15 starts to finish the year 4-13. That being said, Howell was the most-sacked quarterback in the NFL and didn’t have a defense that could support him.

But in Seattle, things should change. Smith and Drew Lock were sacked just 37 times this season, far less than Howell’s total. And new coach Mike Macdonald led arguably the NFL’s best defense last season with the Baltimore Ravens.

The trade for Howell also allows the Seahawks to seek out other positions in the NFL Draft earlier. The move doesn’t mean Seattle won’t draft a quarterback, but the need moves down on the priority list compared to other positions.

Overall, the Seahawks trade is a low-risk, high-reward move that benefits the team in more ways than one.