Seattle Seahawks 'Aren't a Super Bowl Contender' Due to QB Options, Says Analyst

The Seattle Seahawks are not Super Bowl contenders according to Fox Sports' Joel Klatt.

Seattle Seahawks v Arizona Cardinals / Christian Petersen/GettyImages

The Seattle Seahawks are looking to bounce back from a poor 2023 season where the franchise missed the playoffs and are entrusting Geno Smith to get the team there.

But beyond that? Can Geno lead the Seahawks to a Super Bowl? While some Seattle fans might hold out hope, Fox Sports' Joel Klatt doesn't think the quarterback situation for Mike Macdonald is enough to get them to the promised land...at least right now.

“The Seahawks are not a Super Bowl contender right now. They’re just not. And they don’t have the requisite quarterback play to do that,” Klatt said on Seattle Sports’ Brock and Salk. “Seattle doesn’t have (an elite roster) right now. They don’t have the roster around an average quarterback to say to themselves, ‘Yeah, absolutely we can go compete with San Francisco.’ You’re not even the best team in your own division right now."

Comparing Seattle to the juggernaut that is the San Francisco 49ers might not be fair right now, but the fact is that being in the same division means that Kyle Shanahan's team will be the bench mark and any hope of reaching the Super Bowl likely goes through them.

Dec 31, 2023; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell (14). / Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

Having led the 49ers at halftime in the 2022 playoffs before a second-half fade out, the Seahawks know they can match it with their division rivals, but Macdonald's job is to get the franchise a Super Bowl, not just to compete.

With Smith and now Sam Howell on the roster, the Seattle quarterback room has talent and experience, but even still, Klatt doesn't think Smith nor Howell are good enough to be hoisting a Lombardi trophy.

“No, these quarterbacks are not the answer,” Klatt said. “They are placeholders until that is fixed or the roster is completely overhauled to be a roster that can compete with San Francisco toe to toe. Then they’re just playing out the string.”

Klatt does have a point, and that gives thought to Seattle potentially drafting a quarterback at No. 16. While it could happen, Macdonald has other roster needs to fill this offseason before he worries about the quarterback position.

Smith has proven to be a capable starting quarterback in the NFL that can lead a team to the playoffs, while Howell is still in the infancy of his career and has shown flashes of his talent.

But unfortunately, if Klatt's opinion holds up, neither is what the franchise needs if they are to seriously challenge for a Super Bowl.

For now, Smith and Howell with have to do, but if the franchise wants to seriously challenge for a Super Bowl in the future, an upgrade at quarterback could be needed.