Hall of Fame quarterback Warren Moon spends his Sundays working as part of the Seattle Seahawks radio broadcast. With the Seahawks having a three-way competition at the position Moon manned with the franchise during the 1997 and 1998 seasons, Eric Davis asked Moon how he sees that battle between Tarvaris Jackson, Matt Flynn and Russell Wilson playing out during a Friday appearance on "NFL AM."
"All these guys have the ability to play, but I think they brought in Matt Flynn to be their quarterback," Moon said. "I think before it's all said and done, he's gonna be the guy that starts day one, but (head coach) Pete Carroll created this competition, and they're going for it in training camp right now."
Jackson earned toughness points in the Seahawks' locker room last season by playing through a partially torn pectoral muscle, but his performance didn't prevent the front office from aggressively pursuing upgrades this offseason. The 'Hawks pursued Peyton Manning before signing Flynn to a three-year contract worth $19.5 million ($10 million guaranteed), also using a third-round pick on Wilson. Jackson is the most experienced quarterback, particularly in offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell's system, but the financial commitment tilts the scales in Flynn's favor.
Moon thinks it's getting a little too close to the season to still be sorting out the starter.
"You hate to have a quarterback competition this late into the deal because your season is getting ready to start here in probably a little over a month," said Moon. "And you want to have your quarterback solidified. Pete Carroll loves competition and the quarterback position, I don't feel, should be one that you have competition at. You pick your guy, you go with him. If it doesn't work, then you pick another guy. But right now, you've got three guys that are all pretty much the same."
The Seahawks will begin sorting out the starter for real when they host Matt Hasselbeck and the Tennessee Titans in their preseason opener on Aug. 11.
