Geno Smith gets nod as Seattle Seahawks’ starting QB for Week 1 vs. Denver Broncos

Geno Smith has beat out Drew Lock in the Seattle Seahawks’ quarterback competition and will start the team’s Sept. 12 opener against Russell Wilson and the Denver Broncos, Pete Carroll said Friday.

Carroll made the announcement after the Seahawks’ preseason finale — a 27-26 loss to the Dallas Cowboys — and said he’s informed the team. Smith started Friday night, leading a field-goal drive on his lone series before giving way to Lock, who threw a touchdown pass and three interceptions, two of which were not entirely his fault.

Carroll has said all along that Smith has been ahead of Lock, noting several times how Wilson’s former backup has had the edge in terms of his understanding of Seattle’s offense.

“He’s earned it,” Carroll said. “He won the job.”

Smith said he learned of Carroll’s decision when the coach addressed the team in the locker room postgame.

“Obviously I’m thankful for the opportunity and grateful,” said Smith, who’s backed up Wilson the past three seasons and started three games last year while Wilson was hurt. “But I have a lot of work ahead of me.”

Smith took the vast majority of the Seahawks’ first-team reps this summer and started all three of their preseason games, though Lock was set to start the second one before he tested positive for COVID-19.

“I don’t have any question that he can play,” Carroll said of Lock, who was acquired from Denver in the Wilson trade. “I think he’s going to be a fantastic football player soon.”