Finding a franchise quarterback is arguably the most important – and perhaps most difficult – task for any NFL general manager.

That’s why one former GM loves that the Seattle Seahawks essentially gave themselves two bites at the apple this offseason.

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The Seahawks underwent a major shift at quarterback in March, when they traded away 34-year-old veteran Geno Smith and then replaced him by signing 27-year-old Sam Darnold to a team-friendly three-year, $100.5 million deal.

But they didn’t stop there. Seahawks GM John Schneider also spent a third-round pick on Alabama dual-threat QB Jalen Milroe in April’s NFL Draft, giving the team a longer-term developmental option at the position.

Former Las Vegas Raiders GM Mike Mayock praised Schneider’s approach last week during an appearance on Seattle Sports’ Brock and Salk.

“Philosophically, I love what they did, because very few NFL teams are intentional about the quarterback position, in my opinion, the way they should be,” said Mayock, who also spent 15 years as a draft analyst for NFL Network.

“So basically, it’s two moves. They go out and they trade Geno at age 34 (and then sign) a 27-year-old Sam Darnold. They pay Sam a reasonable starting salary that they can effectively get out of after two years for plus or minus $65 million and a reasonable dead cap hit. And then they draft a developmental quarterback behind him. So there’s a plan A and a plan B here.”

In signing Darnold, the Seahawks are hoping the former first-round pick can build on his breakout 2024 campaign with the Minnesota Vikings, which revived his once-disappointing career. But at the same time, as Mayock mentioned, the Seahawks structured Darnold’s contract in a way that allows them to move on after one or two years if he doesn’t pan out.

And in Milroe, the Seahawks took a shot at a rare athletic talent. Milroe still needs a plenty of polishing as a passer, but with big-time speed packed into a powerful 6-foot-2, 217-pound frame, he has a tantalizing skill set as a runner.

“I love the fact that, you know, let’s root for Sam Darnold to be who he was last year and continue to get better, but let’s also develop this young kid who had the best physical traits of any quarterback in this draft,” Mayock said. “And does (Milroe) need 10,000 reps and time on task? Absolutely. But (in the meantime), Darnold is there and can play at a highly competent level.

“I just think that John doubled down on it – not unlike signing Matt Flynn years ago and drafting Russell Wilson in the third round. I’m just a big fan of what John did there.”

Listen to the full conversation with Mike Mayock at this link or in the audio player near the top of this story. Tune in to Brock and Salk weekdays from 6 to 10 a.m. or find the podcast on the Seattle Sports app.

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