SEATTLE -- The Seattle Seahawks will open their 2024 training camp with veterans reporting on Tuesday at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Washington.
Here's a closer look at a few storylines:
Is Geno Smith the Seahawks' long-term answer at quarterback?
That came into question during his uneven 2023 season, and the dynamic took a significant shift when Pete Carroll was fired in January. Whereas the former head coach was perhaps Smith's biggest advocate in the organization, general manager John Schneider -- who now holds final say in personnel matters -- has strongly implied a more tepid view of the quarterback via his public comments and actions.
Schneider was reluctant early this offseason to commit to Smith as the Seahawks' QB1, and then traded for Sam Howell with the thought that the former Commanders starter could potentially assume that role in Seattle if Smith falters. The offseason workout program left no doubt that Smith is by far the better option right now, and he remains a relative bargain considering that the $25 million average of his contract ranks 18th among quarterbacks; he's ranked 11th in QBR over his two seasons as Seattle's starter. But Smith may need a consistently strong year to ensure the Seahawks stick with him in 2025 for the final year of that deal.
The player with the most to prove: CB Riq Woolen
The notion that Woolen took a significant step back in 2023 might be a bit overstated. The biggest difference may have been that he didn't offset some of his miscues with big plays last season like he did as a rookie in 2022, when he tied for the NFL lead in interceptions with six and returned one for a touchdown. Woolen's interception total fell to two last season, and his spotty tackling and occasional coverage lapses came into focus late in the year when Seattle began rotating Michael Jackson at his right cornerback spot.
The feeling among some in the organization is that Woolen didn't attack Year 2 the way he needed to after making the Pro Bowl as a rookie. It also didn't help that he missed much of the spring with a knee injury that required surgery, a setback for a young player who was still new to his position after converting from wide receiver in college. Woolen already has two starting-caliber cornerbacks breathing down his neck in Jackson and Tre Brown, and Seattle drafted two more corners on Day 3.
Between those factors, his shaky 2023, a new coaching staff and the carrot of a contract extension -- which he'll be eligible for next offseason -- Woolen should have no shortage of motivation to bounce back in 2024.
Most impactful offseason addition: Mike Macdonald
No player the Seahawks acquired has the chance to change the organization's fortunes as much as the guy they hired to replace Pete Carroll. At 37, Macdonald is the NFL's youngest head coach. It's his first time in that role, and he only has three seasons as a coordinator at any level under his belt. But for whatever questions can be raised about his readiness to lead an NFL team, there's no question that his defense -- as tough as it is for opponents to decipher -- should give the Seahawks the kind of schematic edge they haven't had on either side of the ball.
Over his two seasons as Baltimore's DC, the Ravens allowed the second-fewest points in the league and ranked first in ESPN's defensive efficiency metric. In 2023, they became the first team in NFL history to pull off the defensive triple crown -- allowing the fewest points per game (16.5) while recording the most sacks (60) and most takeaways (31). Macdonald coaxed career seasons out of several Ravens defenders in 2023, and one feeling inside the Seahawks organization is that he has a unit in Seattle that's every bit as talented as what he had last year in Baltimore.
Fiercest fantasy relevant battle: Jaxon Smith-Njigba versus Tyler Lockett for WR2
This might even be selling Smith-Njigba short based on how productive he was during the offseason workout program. Yes, these were spring practices, where the noncontact format puts offensive skill players in position to shine. They're also voluntary, which is why Lockett and DK Metcalf weren't always on the field when Smith-Njigba was catching one touchdown pass after another from Smith.
Even with those caveats, the second-year receiver had the clear look of a player ready to break out in 2024 after his 63-catch, 628-yard debut season. His excellent spring came on the heels of the 31-year-old Lockett -- the Seahawks' longest-tenured player and the second most-prolific receiver in franchise history -- taking a paycut to return to Seattle for his 10th season with the team.