Drew Lock’s most important cross Saturday wasn’t the 25-yard throw he accomplished to DK Metcalf or the 20-yard landing toss reeled in by Cody Thompson. Probably the most important cross was the one he revamped fellow quarterback Geno Smith — proper to the highest of the depth chart. 

This hasn’t been probably the most theatrical coaching camp for the Seahawks, nevertheless it’s clear what has change into the highest storyline: Who’s going to be behind middle when the season begins? And barring a late addition or harm, it has lengthy appeared the battle is between Smith and Lock.

Solely factor is, earlier than Saturday’s mock recreation at Lumen Discipline, Seattle coach Pete Carroll has been clear by means of his phrases and actions that Smith was forward of Lock within the summertime competitors. Except for publicly declaring as a lot, Carroll has had Smith take all of his reps with the starters whereas Lock has practiced with the second workforce. 

Saturday, nevertheless, lastly provided one thing nearer to an apples-to-apples comparability between the 2 signal-callers. And one apple had much more juice. 

The 31-year-old Smith, a longtime backup, went 10-of-19 passing for 94 yards, no TDs and an almost-interception by cornerback Tariq Woolen that was (questionably) dominated an incomplete cross. Through the 5 drives Smith led, the Seahawks scored one landing and one subject objective, however have been additionally pressured to punt thrice — two of which got here on three-and-outs. 

The 25-year-old Lock, in the meantime, completed 18-of-27 for 185 yards, one TD and no picks. In his 5 drives behind middle, Lock led the offense to 2 touchdowns and a subject objective whereas twice having to punt. Furthermore, Lock had only one sequence with the beginning offense whereas Smith had 4. 

Lock’s numbers would have been much more convincing in comparison with Smith had he not overthrown an open Bo Melton close to the top of the mock recreation, a play he visibly lamented in his postgame interview. Airmail apart, it was clear who had the higher day — even when Carroll received’t say it. 

“I didn’t see lots, so I can’t enable you very a lot on a number of stuff,” stated Pete. “I must see the movie.”

When you see that Drew performed in addition to Geno, or higher than Geno, will he begin to get extra reps with the starters? I requested. 

“I don’t have something to let you know proper now,” stated Carroll. “I’ve to attend and see.” 

It is smart for Carroll to need to present his respect for Smith, who has been with the Seahawks since 2019. He has constructed up locker-room cred, one thing Lock remains to be growing since being dealt to Seattle this previous offseason within the Russell Wilson commerce.

It additionally is smart for the Seahawks to make Lock earn the beginning place versus being declared the quick frontrunner — not solely due to Smith’s cachet amongst teammates, however to assist inspire a fourth-year QB to return to his rookie kind, when he received 4 of his 5 video games as Denver’s starter. 

But it surely appeared evident after Saturday’s mock that Lock was happy to have gotten an opportunity to showcase his expertise in a game-like setting with, for one drive a minimum of, the workforce’s prime offensive weapons at his disposal. 

“I don’t get a number of reps with these guys — it’s fascinating if you watch DK run a route in comparison with mainly anybody else on the planet. Tyler (Lockett) as effectively,” Lock stated. “And to have the ability to go on the market and, , really feel assured, roll down the sector and put factors up on the board. That’s what I wished to do with these guys. That’s what I wished to indicate immediately. And I’m pleased I did that.”

One has to assume that followers who need to see the Seahawks compete for a playoff spot this 12 months hope Lock wins the job. Not as a result of they’ve something in opposition to Smith, however as a result of Geno has by no means had a stretch in his profession by which he proved he might constantly lead a workforce to victory. 

Nonetheless, the truth that he has hung round this lengthy as a backup proves that coaches nonetheless assume he has worth. And regardless that he had been given his alternatives in years previous, he’d prefer to have yet one more. 

How do you assume Drew performed immediately, and do you assume his effort affected the QB competitors? 

“So far as the competitors, I’m not the one judging all of that, so I’ll go away that as much as the coaches,” Smith stated. “However I believe Drew performed very well, as I’ve all the time stated, and I’ll go on report to say that I’ve his again. It doesn’t matter what.” 

He might don’t have any different alternative. Drew isn’t any lock for the beginning job, however for the primary time since camp began, he’s the QB to beat.