It was presumed that when Seattle signed Matt Flynn to a big free-agent contract this offseason that the former Packers backup would be the team’s starting quarterback this fall. However, if rookie third-round pick Russell Wilson (NC State & Wisconsin) plays well as the starter in Seattle’s third preseason game on Friday night, reports are that Wilson will be named the Week 1 starter.

NFL coaches use the third preseason game to most closely simulate Week 1 of the regular season. Thus starters will play their most minutes in the third preseason game. Wilson will take the majority of first-team reps as the Seahawks prepare to face the Kansas City Chiefs on Friday night. Carroll plans to play Wilson with the Seahawks’ starters through at least the first half. Flynn could get some first-team reps to start the second half depending on the flow of the game.

While Flynn has been steady this preseason, Wilson has provided the Seahawks with more dynamic plays between the two quarterbacks, albeit against opposing team’s second-string defenders. He also has converted 54 percent of third-down possessions. Wilson has completed 22 of 33 passes for 279 yards this preseason, throwing for three touchdowns with one interception. He also has rushed for 92 yards and a touchdown. Flynn is 17 of 26 for 102 yards with no touchdowns and one interception.

“He’s carried the style of play from college level to our level in these first couple preseason games,” Seattle coach Pete Carroll said of Wilson, “and we are going to see what that means in game three.”

Flynn’s signing to a three-year deal averaging $6.5 million in free agency created the strong impression that Flynn was the Seahawks’ quarterback of the future, and present. Carroll and Seahawks general manager John Schneider have kept an open mind about the position. They liked Flynn, but their commitment to him did not preclude the team from using a third-round choice for Wilson. He stands only 5-foot-10 and five-eighths inches. That’s too short for an NFL quarterback, conventional wisdom says.

Seattle is a 1-point road favorite for Friday’s game on WagerWeb.com.

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