The Seattle Seahawks made a splash this offseason by signing free-agent quarterback Matt Flynn. Out of the gate, it read like the end of Tarvaris Jackson's story as starter, but that won't be the case.
Pete Carroll is committed to a genuine competition at the position, and he's asking every signal-caller on the roster to buy into that approach.
Jackson took the opening snap at Friday's 45-minute workout, but this was a no-pads, non-contact session. It's April.
Besides, we have proof a first snap means little in this race: "(Jackson's) earned that here," Caroll told The Seattle Times."But from that point, the competition is on."
The Seahawks have used the offseason to rebuild the quarterback position. Along with the Flynn signing, Seattle selected Russell Wilson in the third round of last week's draft. It's an upgrade over the group from a year ago, but it's too early to count out Jackson. Carroll needs to see improvement, but has long praised TJ's toughness and leadership. He's in the mix.
"There's no timeline," Carroll said. "The format is really just to do everything I can to organize it and orchestrate so that they get a legit shot at showing what they can do."
All of this is a game-changer for Flynn, who spent the past four seasons clinging to a clipboard, hidden away on the sideline as Aaron Rodgers burned up opposing defenses in Green Bay.
"It's different because I know I'm going to be competing and I know everything I do matters," Flynn said. "In Green Bay, I kind of had the luxury of sitting back and learning and being able to take my time in the progression of becoming a better quarterback. Now I get to come in here and compete."
This will be fun to watch.
