Geno Smith is the choice as the first replacement for Russell Wilson at quarterback for the Seattle Seahawks.
Coach Pete Carroll made the announcement Friday night after a 27-26 preseason loss to the Dallas Cowboys that included three interceptions from Drew Lock.
It seemed clear Lock’s rough night, which did include a touchdown pass, wasn’t the deciding factor. Smith played one series before Lock played into the fourth quarter.
The Seahawks are entering a new era after trading the Super Bowl winner and 10-year starter Wilson to Denver, where Lock started 21 games over the previous three seasons.
Lock saw plenty of playing time after missing the second preseason game because of COVID-19. Carroll said it would be a “makeup deal,” but Smith had already done plenty to make the Seahawks think he was the choice.
Despite Lock’s picks, the Seahawks (0-3) never trailed until the Cowboys went ahead on a connection between a pair of long shots for the roster. Ben DiNucci found tight end Peyton Hendershot on a 14-yard TD with 4:07 remaining.
In his only series, Smith moved the Seahawks to the Dallas 19 before a penalty and a 14-yard sack forced them to settle for the first of four field goals from Jason Myers, a 53-yarder.
Israel Mukuamu intercepted Lock’s second pass before Lock threw a 35-yard TD to Penny Hart on the first play of his second series following a fourth-down stop by the Seattle defense.
Dallas’ Nahshon Wright came off his man on the outside and stepped in front of Hart on Lock’s second interception, setting up Will Grier’s 1-yard scoring toss to Simi Fehoko to get the Cowboys (2-1) within 13-10 late in the first half.
The third interception from Lock set up another Dallas TD when undrafted rookie safety Markquese Bell corralled a tipped pass and rumbled to the Seattle 13 while star quarterback Dak Prescott stopped his TV interview to celebrate. Brandon Smith made a toe-tapping catch in the end zone for a 20-20 tie.
Lock led another TD drive to start the second half, but running back DeeJay Dallas was the focus. The third-year back had 50 of his 75 yards rushing on the drive, capped by his 1-yard plunge for a 20-10 lead.
Playing into the fourth quarter, Lock finished 13 of 24 for 171 yards and a 51.2 passer rating.
Not much appeared to change in the competition behind Prescott, who sat the entire preseason for the second consecutive year. This time it was by design after a shoulder injury kept him out most of the 2021 preseason. Almost every other projected Dallas starter didn’t play this preseason either.
Incumbent Cooper Rush handled one series that ended in a punt before Grier played the next 2 1/2 quarters, finishing 12 of 22 for 88 yards with two scores and no interceptions.