“You just made this up.”

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith on Thursday dismissed rumors that he will compete for his starting job this fall with former Washington Commanders signal caller Sam Howell.

Smith earned a second consecutive All-Star nod last season in his second season as the Seahawks’ starter, throwing for 3,624 yards, 20 touchdowns and nine interceptions.

Howell last threw 21 touchdowns and 21 interceptions over 17 starts in an up-and-down second season with Washington. He, like Smith, is signed through the 2025 season.

Seahawks general manager John Schneider brought up Howell when asked Tuesday about the team’s future plans at the quarterback position.

“I can’t tell you what our long-term plan is because I honestly don’t know, but Sam is a big part of it because we made a big trade to get Sam before we got here,” Schneider told the Seahawks. .com-John Boyle.

However, that doesn’t mean Howell will get a start this fall if Smith is available. Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald confirmed in March that Smith will be Seattle’s starter:

Last season, Smith played for Drew Lock, who struggled in two appearances in relief. The Seahawks now appear to be hoping they’ve found a more reliable backup in Howell.