ARLINGTON, Texas — — Geno Smith is the pick 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 by Drew Lock.
It seemed clear that Lock’s tough night, which included a touchdown pass, was not the deciding factor. Smith played one series before Lock played into the fourth quarter.
“Geno, he knows our material and he does it very well and he understands it and masters everything we’re doing,” Carroll said. “It will give us the best opportunity to play great football from the start.”
The Seahawks are entering a new era after trading Super Bowl winner and 10-year starter Wilson to Denver, where Lock started 21 games the previous three seasons.
Lock saw a lot of playing time after missing the second preseason game due to COVID-19. Carroll said it would be a “compensation deal,” but Smith had already done a lot to make the Seahawks think he was the pick.
“This is just the first step in the process, but it’s really about winning,” said Smith, who was Wilson’s backup after starting most of his first two years in the NFL with the New York Jets and is 34. starts in 45 games over eight seasons. . “None of this will matter if we don’t go out there and win the games we’re supposed to win.”
Despite Lock’s picks, the Seahawks (0-3) never trailed until the Cowboys took the lead with a connection between a pair of long shots to the roster. Ben DiNucci found tight end Peyton Hendershot on a 14-yard touchdown run with 4:07 remaining.
On his only drive, Smith moved the Seahawks to the Dallas 19-yard line before a 14-yard penalty and sack forced them to settle for the first of four Jason Myers 53-yard field goals.
Israel Mukuumu intercepted Lock’s second pass before Lock threw a 35-yard TD for Penny Hart on the first play of her second drive after a fourth-down save by the Seattle defense.
dallas’ Nahshon Wright got off his man on the outside and stepped in front of Hart on Lock’s second interception, setting up Will GrierSimi Fehoko’s 1-yard touchdown pass put the Cowboys (2-1) up 13-10 late in the first half.
Lock’s third interception set up another Dallas TD when undrafted rookie safety Markquese Bell cornered a deflected pass and rumbled to the Seattle 13-yard line as star quarterback Dak Prescott stopped his TV interview to celebrate. brandon-smith he made a toe 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 center of attention. The third-year running back had 50 of his 75 rushing yards on the drive, capped by his 1-yard throw for a 20-10 lead.
Playing into the fourth quarter, Lock was 13 of 24 for 171 yards and a 51.2 passer rating.
“As a competitor, you’re always disappointed and I was disappointed,” Lock said of Carroll’s decision. “You want to be able to step on the field and show that you can do it. Now, my job is to cover his back. Be the best teammate you can be.”
Not much seemed to change in the competition behind Prescott, who sat out the entire preseason for the second year in a row. This time it was by design after a shoulder injury kept him out for most of the 2021 preseason. Almost all of Dallas’ other projected starters also didn’t play this preseason.
Starter Cooper Rush managed a drive that ended in a punt before Grier played the next 2 1/2 quarters, going 12 of 22 for 88 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions.
REPLACEMENT OF TYRON SMITH
It took two days for the Cowboys to get word that eight-time Pro Bowl left tackle Tyron Smith will likely be out until December with a torn hamstring that also resulted in a fractured left knee.
His most likely replacement, rookie first-round pick Tyler Smith, did not play due to an ankle injury. Sophomore Josh Ball started and saw a lot of action, but he doesn’t seem ready to be Prescott’s blindside starter.
BACK MEN
After returning a kickoff and punt return for touchdowns last weekend, Dallas wide receiver KaVontae Turpin didn’t see action in the return game and did some work on offense. He had an 8-yard catch on two targets.
Seattle wide receiver Dee Eskridge returned from a hamstring injury and had an 18-yard punt return and an 8-yard reception on three targets. The Seahawks view him as the No. 3 receiver, but he has struggled to stay healthy.
INJURIES
Dallas CB Kelvin Joseph, whose roster spot could be in jeopardy, left after the first play and didn’t return. He was ruled out for concussion.
UNTIL NEXT TIME
Both teams open the season in prime time. The Cowboys have Sunday night’s game opener at home against Tom Brady and Tampa Bay on September 11. The Seahawks are at home against Denver in the first game on Monday night on September 12.
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