Seattle Seahawks Not Bluffing When It Comes To Interest In QB Anthony Richardson

The Seattle Seahawks might not be bluffing after all regarding their interest in Anthony Richardson.

With the Seahawks sitting pretty enter the 2023 NFL Draft with two first-round draft picks — at No. 5 and No. 20 — Seattle has the opportunity to select arguably the biggest enigma of the draft. While the Seahawks are coming off a playoff berth and recently locked up quarterback Geno Smith to another contract, Seattle could opt to draft its next franchise quarterback in Richardson.

The Seahawks have been scouting a number of quarterbacks at the NFL Combine, including other projected top picks Bryce Young, C.J. Stroud and Will Levis. However, neither of those quarterbacks may be available when Seattle makes their selection at No. 5. On the other hand, Richardson likely will be.

“He was really impressive,” general manager John Schneider said Thursday on his weekly radio show on Seattle Sports 710. “Great athlete, great young man. He has a ton of physical talent, no question about it. … He did a great job. He had fun, he was loose and he had a good time with his teammates.”

The interest between both sides is a mutual one, with Richardson singling out his visit with the Seahawks as one that stands out.

“[Carroll] had this big smile on his face,” Richardson said, via ESPN’s Stephen Holder. “We shook hands, and something about it was just
just
different. You only see these guys on TV. And now I’m in their presence and they’re right there talking to me. And they’re interested in me. That makes you feel good.”

One could argue the Seahawks would be better off using their first draft pick on an edge rusher such as Texas Tech’s Tyree Wilson or University of Georgia defensive tackle Jalen Carter. One of Seattle’s biggest weaknesses last season was their defensive line, ranking in the bottom seven of every run defense category, including 30th in rushing yards allowed. When one considers that Seattle already features a Pro Bowl QB in Smith and the fact that they’re coming off of a playoff appearance, common sense would lead one to believe the Seahawks should fortify their weak spots.

However, Seattle is in a unique position. For one, there’s no guarantee Smith will replicate the success that he had last season, when he unexpectedly emerged as a viable starting quarterback for the first time in his 10-year career. While the Seahawks did re-sign Smith to a three-year, $75 million deal, it’s more of a dummy contract than anything else. Seattle could walk away from Smith during the 2024 offseason with a $17.4 million dead cap hit or the 2025 offseason with just an $8.7 million dead cap hit.

Both sides receive protection in the deal, with the Seahawks possibly renting Smith for just one year — assuming he falters — and the veteran quarterback receiving over $26 million in guaranteed money upon signing.

This is why the idea of the Seahawks drafting Smith’s possible successor and their long-term answer at quarterback in the 20-year-old Richardson is one of the biggest topics entering the draft.

Because Richardson is so young — and raw, considering he only started one year with the University of Florida — the Seahawks could reasonably sit Richardson for a year or two behind Smith before turning towards the athletic quarterback.

For those wondering, it’s no snokescreen — the Seahawks are genuinely interested in drafting Richardson, according to Corbin K. Smith of Sports Illustrated.

“Whether or not Seattle actually drafts a quarterback remains to be seen, but at this stage, the perceived interest doesn’t look like simple posturing or a typical pre-draft smokescreen,” says Smith. “The franchise appears to be most infatuated by one prospect in particular.”

Smith details not only how infatuated Schneider and head coach Pete Carroll are with Richardson, but how unique his physical gifts are.

“Throughout the pre-draft process, the Seahawks have been most connected to Richardson, who oozes with the type of rare physical tools that Carroll and Schneider covet,” said Smith. “At the NFL combine, he weighed in at 244 pounds and proceeded to run the 40-yard dash
dash
in a blazing 4.43 seconds while setting a new event record for quarterbacks with a 40 1/2-inch vertical.”

Richardson — who was previously expected to be selected in the mid-to-late first round — has made such a strong impression during the Combine that some are expecting the athletically gifted quarterback to be selected within the first few picks. In fact, CBS Sports’ Chris Trapasso projects Richardson to be drafted with the top overall pick by the Carolina Panthers. Five out of six CBS Sports writers have Richardson projected to be selected within the top five, with Pete Prisco expecting the Seahawks to pick Richardson.

With the NFC appearing to be weaker than its been in years, Seattle might have a legit shot at contending entering the 2023 season. Acquiring a pass-rushing piece or dominant interior tackle could be the final step towards making that happen.

However, the Seahawks could choose to pick a generational talent at quarterback who could very well lead the franchise for the next 15 years.

It’s no smokescreen — Richardson could very well be wearing a Seahawks uniform when his name is called at the 2023 NFL Draft.