Report: Seattle Holds 'Lengthy Meeting' with QB J.J. McCarthy, Initiating Rumors

Timm Hamm | Mar 25, 2024

Rose Bowl Game - Alabama v Michigan / Harry How/GettyImages

On the heels of new Seattle Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald officially naming a starting quarterback before camp even begins, more rumors are swirling around the VMAC in Renton.

The team was reportedly one of three teams to hold a 'lengthy meeting' with Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy per SI's Albert Breer.

Rose Bowl Game - Alabama v Michigan / Harry How/GettyImages

“Ahead of his Friday Pro Day, Michigan QB JJ McCarthy had lengthy meetings Thursday in Ann Arbor with 3 teams—the Patriots, Seahawks and Commanders,” Breer said in a series of March 25, 2024 messages on X. “Seattle coach Mike Macdonald was with McCarthy at Michigan in 2021.

“McCarthy’s been excellent in that setting, meeting with teams. Macdonald wasn’t in Ann Arbor for it, but obviously the Seahawks have great intel on McCarthy, with their new head coach and Jay Harbaugh on staff. And for what it’s worth, the Commanders had the dinner slot on Thursday.”

Per Macdonald, Geno Smith is officially the QB1 for next season despite the recent trade acquisition of Sam Howell from the Washington Commanders.

"I've talked to Geno about it," Macdonald said, per NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. "Very confident in Geno. Geno's going to be our starter. Sam (Howell) knows he's going to be our backup, but Sam is a great young player, and he's got a really bright future that we believe in."

Of course, that was before the draft and before camp. What if somehow the Seahawks trade up from their current No. 16 pick to get McCarthy? Recent mock drafts have the Vikings tradiing up to No. 7 in a move with Tennessee, and the Seahawks would most likely have to do something similar. McCarthy shouldn't be available at 16.

After a resurgent season in 2022 that earned Smith a new three-year, $75 million deal before last season, Smith fell off a bit in 2023, igniting speculation that new head coach Macdonald might be looking for a replacement.

The arrival of Howell combined with the new regime under Macdonald understandably presented the question of a quarterback competition, though it always felt unlikely that a veteran like Smith would be unseated by Howell ahead of his first season in Seattle.

Howell, 23, played in all 17 games for Washington this past season after being a fifth-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. He went 388 of 612 passing for 3,946 yards, 21 touchdowns, and 21 interceptions. Though Howell showed tons of positive flashes, he led the league in interceptions and sacks taken (65).

The upcoming offseason could be a drama-filled one for the Seahawks, with tremendous attention on the quarterback position. If Howell outplays Smith, or if a quarterback is drafted that plays lights-out ahead of Smith and Howell, how will rookie head coach Macdonald handle that?

I can't wait to find out.