Last year, when the Seahawks signed Tarvaris Jackson, he was installed as the starter over Charlie Whitehurst even before Jackson could practice with the team, due to the finalization of the labor deal.
This year, with Tarvaris Jackson entering the second year of an $8 million contract and Matt Flynn signed to a deal with a maximum value of $8.67 million annually, the question becomes whether coach Pete Carroll will keep Jackson at the top of the depth chart, open the job for competition, or hand it to Flynn.
To close the deal, Carroll probably had to promise to pencil Flynn in as the starter. Based on Carroll’s handling of the arrival of Jackson in 2011, Carroll may prefer to use ink at this point, in order to ensure that there will be no misunderstanding within the locker room regarding the leader of the team.
Either way, there once again will be a highly-compensated backup in Seattle. And a starter who may or may not able to become a franchise quarterback.