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'Geno Knows': Pete Carroll Explains Seahawks QB Evaluations

What will the Seattle Seahawks do with their No. 5 overall pick?

How committed are the Seattle Seahawks to quarterback Geno Smith? 

Judging by his new contract, which is worth $105 million for three years, they are committed for at least a year, which is why the Seahawks are doing their due diligence in evaluating the rookie quarterbacks.

Seattle owns the No. 5 overall pick thanks to the Russell Wilson trade with the Denver Broncos. Even after the Seahawks made the playoffs at 9-8, this high of a pick has been a rare occurrence, and that is something that coach Pete Carroll and general manager John Schneider have acknowledged.

In a recent interview with NFL Total Access, Carroll spoke about Seattle's public evaluation of the NFL Draft's quarterback class. 

"I told Geno we're doing it," Carroll said. "He knows what is going on; he's just trying to win; he knows we are trying to win. So this is how we compete.

"We've said for years we are going in every single opportunity that is out there, and John has done a marvelous job of always having his ear to the ground to know what is going on so if an opportunity does fit us, we are prepared and ready to pounce on it."

The Seahawks have certainly shown they're willing to "pounce" on an elite quarterback in the draft. Carroll, Schneider and company have traveled across the country recently to evaluate and take selfies with some of the top signal-callers in this year's draft like C.J. Stroud, Bryce Young and Will Levis.

On Thursday, this will continue. The Seahawks are set to visit Anthony Richardson on Thursday at Florida's Pro Day, and another group selfie might be the expectation at this point.

"Well, here we are, a No. 5 pick, and there are legitimately four great prospects at the quarterback spot, and we may never have this opportunity again, so we've got to maximize it," Carroll said.

The Seahawks are doing their "homework," as Carroll said, and if they have the opportunity to draft a quarterback, they will do so even after giving Smith his extension.


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