Clayton breaks down Seahawks’ QB options

Published on May 9, 2011 by Seahawk Fanatic     

Seattle Seahawks general manager Schneider reiterated earlier this week that the team has a plan in place for adding a quarterback to a roster that currently only includes one — Charlie Whitehurst.

ESPN’s John Clayton joined Bob Stelton and Matt Pitman on Friday and discussed which quarterback(s) might be part of that plan:

Matt Hasselbeck

Hasselbeck has said he wants to stay in Seattle. The Seahawks say they want to re-sign him, but they couldn’t get a deal done when they had exclusive negotiating rights, meaning they’ll be bidding against other teams for the league’s top free-agent quarterback once free agency begins.

Clayton thinks the market shrunk for Hasselbeck after some teams addressed their quarterback needs in the draft. Titans GM Mike Reinfeldt said he plans to sign a veteran quarterback, but Clayton said Hasselbeck’s pricetag will likely be too much for a team already paying a hefty rookie salary to No. 8 overall pick Jake Locker. Clayton noted Miami as an option for Hasselbeck if he doesn’t re-sign with the Seahawks.

“I think there’s a decent chance that he could come back,” Clayton said, later handicapping those odds at 50/50 on the Calabro show.

Kevin Kolb

Kolb began last season as Philadelphia’s starter but was ultimately supplanted by Michael Vick. The Eagles franchised Vick in the offseason, which made Kolb a likely candidate to be traded.

Clayton believes as many as four teams, including the Seahawks, will be in the running for Kolb and that the likely asking price will be a first-round pick.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter said earlier this week that the Cardinals are the heavy favorites to acquire the 27-year-old quarterback in a trade, but Clayton expressed some skepticism that Arizona would be willing to trade a first-round pick and sign Kolb to a lucrative extension. Clayton believes Marc Bulger will be Arizona’s first choice.

Kyle Orton

The 28-year-old Orton threw for over 3,600 yards with 20 touchdowns and nine interceptions for the Broncos in 2010 but was injured late in the season and supplanted by rookie Tim Tebow for the final three games.

Clayton believes Orton could be acquired for a second-or third-round pick, which would make him a “viable option” if Hasselbeck and Kolb aren’t available.

Matt Flynn

Flynn has played sparingly since the Packers drafted him in the seventh round in 2008. His lone start came last season in place of an injured Aaron Rodgers. He was 24 of 37 for 251 yards, three TDs and an interception in a loss to New England.

Clayton wasn’t too high on Flynn’s resume.

“He’s an intriguing guy just because he had one good game, but that’s all he’s had is one good game,” Clayton said. “So I don’t know if one good game is going to be enough to really get the excitement going to get him as one of the options.”

Vince Young and Donovan McNabb

Neither are expected back with their 2010 team, and in Young’s case, it’s a certainty. Clayton listed Young and McNabb as options, but said he doubts the Seahawks would pursue either.

Tags: Adam Schefter, Asking Price, Charlie Whitehurst, Decent Chance, ESPN, Free Agent Quarterback, John Clayton, Kevin Kolb, Marc Bulger, Matt Hasselbeck, michael vick, Mike Reinfeldt, Offseason, Pitman, Pricetag, Seahawks Qb, SEATTLE SEAHAWKS, Skepticism, Stelton, Veteran Quarterback