Seattle Seahawks Have 'Great Info' on QB Michael Penix Jr. Ahead of NFL Draft

The Seattle Seahawks' quarterback situation beyond 2024 is in flux, and after attending Michael Penix Jr.'s Pro Day, what did the franchise think of his workout?

Feb 1, 2024; Mobile, AL, USA; National quarterback Michael Penix Jr of Washington (9) throws the / Vasha Hunt-USA TODAY Sports

The Seattle Seahawks quarterback situation will be interesting to watch during the 2024 season thanks to an interesting new dynamic. Geno Smith is the team's starter, but Seattle also traded for young quarterback Sam Howell.

Now, with Smith's future beyond the 2024 season with Seattle in doubt due to the potential cap savings the team would get by cutting him and the addition of Howell, next offseason promises to be rather intriguing.

There is every chance that Smith could be moved on from andHowell could usurp him as the team's starter due to general manager John Schneider's love for the now-former Washington Commanders quarterback.

But due to the quarterback talent in this year's draft and Seattle currently holding the No. 16 selection, is there an avenue for the Seahawks to draft Geno's replacement? Possibly, and one name that been thrown up is Washington's Michael Penix Jr.

With Penix Jr. already having a working relationship with new offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb due to his time with Washington, the move seems logical. The Seahawks attended Penix Jr.'s Pro Day and were left impressed, with Seattle GM John Schneider liking what he saw from the young star.

Mar 2, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Washington quarterback Michael Penix. / Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

“Well, obviously, Coach Grubb likes him a lot, thinks the world of him," Schneider said on Seattle Sports' Wyman and Bob. "Coach Huff (too), so we feel like we have great information on him. You know, for us, he’s just always been a real steady performer, and what a great job he did this year going to the national championship game and everything.

“So yeah, it was great to go see him, he had a real nice workout (Thursday). Not getting into comparing quarterbacks or anything like that with J.J. (McCarthy), but he seems like a really cool person. Obviously we know what kind of competitor he is, but he threw the ball like, I don’t know, 95, 100 yards today a couple times. He really, like, threw it downfield real far, so it was it was a good day for him. So we’re all happy for Michael.”

Penix Jr. finished second in the Heisman Trophy voting after his stellar 2023 season for the Huskies. He led the team to the National Championship game against Michigan, and while it wasn't his best outing in the loss, his draft stock didn't tumble too much.

The Huskies were 14-0 under Penix Jr.'s watch in the regular season and 11 times the offense scored 30+ points. The only loss unfortunately came against Michigan in the National Championship game.

Penix Jr. finished the 2023 season throwing for 4,903 yards, 36 touchdowns and just 11 interceptions with Grubb having a front row seat to his exploits.

Now the Seahawks offensive coordinator, Grubb could see his former quarterback join him in the pros and given Seattle's current uncertainty at the quarterback position beyond 2024, a move for him in the draft has happened in several mocks.

While Seattle has other draft needs that take a higher priority over selecting a quarterback, if Penix Jr. is still on the board at No. 16, a decision might have to be made. He might sit the entire 2024 season, but in 2025, the Seahawks might have their new franchise quarterback ready to roll.

The Seahawks brass liked his Pro Day efforts, and now it remains to be seen that when push comes to shove on draft night, if they will be proactive and select Penix Jr.