Carroll: Sean Mannion signed to compete with Alex McGough, not Geno Smith

In a press conference after training camp Monday, head coach Pete Carroll addressed the signing of free agent quarterback Sean Mannion.

Mannion, who most recently played for the Minnesota Vikings, played for the Rams while Shane Waldron was on Los Angeles’ coaching staff. Carroll said that this experience with Waldron, as well as the workout the Seahawks held with the former Oregon State quarterback last week, were both key in the signing.

“We saw him in the workout a week ago, and he looked great. He really threw the heck out of the ball,” Carroll explained.

Of course, with the signing of Mannion, the Seahawks could still have three quarterbacks competing for the backup job. Currently, though, Geno Smith’s job is safe.

“[The signing] had nothing to do with Geno, for now” Carroll insisted. “If we get down to where we need three [quarterbacks], then the competition is really on... with Alex [McGough].”

The Seahawks have only kept two quarterbacks on the roster in recent years, but Mannion seems to really have impressed Carroll, to the point where he and Schneider may be forced to reconsider this policy.

“He’s really smart,” Carroll said of Mannion. “He’s been here one day and he can already run the offense... I don’t know how a guy can do that.”