The Seattle Seahawks have had their fair share of superstar players over the years; however, one position that they have struggled to shine at is the quarterback spot, aside from Russell Wilson’s era. Filled with draft busts to late-round hopefuls to aging veterans looking for one last shot, the Pacific Northwest has seen a gauntlet of players take up the role with varying degrees of success. Although the franchise hasn’t always been blessed with elite quarterback play, there have been some players who have left their mark on the organization and the Emerald City.
Russell Wilson (2012-2021)
The most obvious player to hold down top spot, even if his departure left a bitter taste for many fans. Arriving in Seattle as a third-round draft pick, Russell Wilson transformed the Seahawks from a struggling playoff contender into one capable of battling for a Super Bowl almost immediately. Wilson’s numbers as a Seahawk speak for themselves: a Super Bowl ring, nine Pro Bowl selections, over 37,000 passing yards, and 292 touchdowns. Putting the honors aside, Wilson brought the team something it never really had: a superstar quarterback. Every week, Seahawks fans got to watch Wilson create magic on the gridiron, turning the impossible into the possible, akin to someone hitting the jackpot at a UK casino. With his ability to extend plays using his scrambling ability, delivering downfield bombs, and performing in clutch moments (minus Super Bowl XLIX, of course), Wilson was hands down the most dynamic quarterback in franchise history.
Matt Hasselbeck (2001-2010)
While he wasn’t the superstar that Wilson was, Matt Hasselbeck provided the Seahawks a steady arm at the quarterback position for ten seasons. Although he did not have the flair of Wilson, Hasselbeck did have a strong football IQ and ability to make quick decisions in the pocket, connecting with receiving greats such as Steve Largent, Darrell Jackson, and Bobby Engram.
Hasselbeck had the honor of leading the Seahawks to their first Super Bowl appearance in 2005. After throwing for over 3,400 yards and 24 touchdowns, Hasselbeck’s balanced offensive attack in the air and on the ground advanced through the playoffs to meet the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl XL.
Dave Krieg (1980-1991)
From an undrafted free agent rookie to a three-time Pro Bowl honoree, Dave Krieg is not only one of the Seahawks’ most underrated quarterbacks, but also one of the most overlooked in the entire NFL. A member of the Seahawks for twelve years, Kreig became the team’s QB1 in his fifth year. That would be the season he guided Seattle to its first AFC Championship game.
What made Kreig unique was not his flash or creativity, but rather his grit and toughness. While he was often unpredictable, turning a terrible first half into an astonishing second half, Kreig’s 19-year NFL career is vastly underappreciated by many.
Jim Zorn (1976-1984)
As the Seahawks’ first-ever starting quarterback, Jim Zorn not only had the task of trying to break into the NFL, but he also had to try and lead an expansion team into some sense of respectability After struggling for their first two years, Zorn and the Seahawks managed to piece together back-to-back winning seasons in 1978 and 1979, but failed to advance to the playoffs during his seven years with the team.
Although he did not achieve any team or individual accolades during his tenure in Seattle, Zorn did establish a blue-collar work ethic that has become Seattle’s calling card.
Geno Smith (2022-2024)
Although he only suited up for three seasons, Geno Smith’s short stay in Seattle proved to be the better of the remaining options. Filling Russell Wilson’s shoes was no easy task, especially for a player best known as a backup for six years.
In his first season as a starter for the Seahawks, Smith threw for over 4,200 yards and recorded 30 touchdowns, earning his first Pro Bowl appearance and leading Seattle to a Wild Card playoff berth, despite expectations of it being a rebuilding season. Although that would be his only trip to the postseason, Smith finished his time in Seattle with three winning seasons under his belt.
