With the Russell Wilson era in Seattle now firmly in the back view mirror, the Seattle Seahawks begin the most difficult transitional journey that there is for an NFL franchise, which is escaping quarterback purgatory.

With prospects like Desmond Ridder, Sam Howell, Malik Willis, Kenny Pickett, and Matt Corrall all extremely available for the Seahawks when they picked the ninth overall selection of the 2022 NFL Draft, any quarterback prospect could have been selected by the Seahawks.

Instead, the Seahawks opt to head into training camp with former Denver Bronco Drew Lock as the likely week one starter.

While almost every quarterback prospect in the draft has some very distinct flaw or mechanical issue attached to them, Pickett and Willis were two names that many reports said were likely first-round draft choices — especially Malik Willis to either the Seahawks or the Carolina Panthers.

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According to Brady Henderson of ESPN, the reason for the Seahawks passing over Willis, in particular, four different times before the Liberty alum ended up being selected 86th overall by the Tennesee Titans, is that they felt the quarterback is not close to ready for the NFL.

“The Seahawks passed on Willis four times before he was taken 86th overall — feeling he was nowhere near NFL-ready, according to one source,” Henderson said. “And didn't think enough of the other quarterbacks to take one with any of their nine selections.”

While the long-term fit for the Seahawks as the successor to Wilson might not currently be on the roster, it appears that the Seahawks are making their feelings known loud and clear about this year's quarterback prospects by heading into camp with a battle between Lock, Geno Smith, and Jacob Eason for the 2022 starting quarterback job.