ESPN insider Adam Schefter is used to dishing out scoops on NFL stars. In a rare role reversal, Schefter became a topic of conversation during Week 15’s edition of the “ManningCast.”
Peyton and Eli Manning’s Monday night broadcast was of the Week 15 NFC clash between the Seattle Seahawks and Philadelphia Eagles. The two former quarterbacks had San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey on as their guest during the first quarter of play at Lumen Field in Seattle, Wash.
The big story out of Seattle before the game was about which QB was going to start for the Seahawks on Monday: Drew Lock or Geno Smith?
The Mannings only found out that the Seahawks were starting Lock once he took the field for the first time midway through the first quarter. That led the three Pro Bowlers to poke fun at Schefter for not getting the scoop earlier.
“Schefter couldn’t get the news. It’s a shocker because Schefter knew I was going to get cut by the Colts before I knew,” Peyton said.
“That’s on Schefter if you ask me. Schefter knew I was going to get traded [to the 49ers] before I was going to get traded,” said McCaffrey.
“Schefter’s got to tell the starting quarterback earlier in the week that he’s starting so that he could prepare better,” Eli added.
Peyton Manning, Eli Manning, and Christian McCaffrey taking jabs at Adam Schefter. 🏈📺😂 #MNF #ManningCast https://t.co/lXNT3EFVKU pic.twitter.com/rd1jJ0qpl8
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) December 19, 2023
The QB uncertainty was not from a lack of trying from Schefter. The NFL insider kept his followers updated with post after post on X prior to the game about the status of Smith and Lock.
Here is Schefter clarifying his own report hours before kickoff that Smith was active for the contest.
Just because Geno Smith is active does not mean he’s starting. The Seahawks are dressing three QBs tonight but have not announced a starter. https://t.co/WHpJdhTiHx
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 18, 2023
Schefter continued to post despite not having a conclusive answer about which Seahawks QB was starting.
Seahawks headed to the stadium tonight thinking Drew Lock was the likely starting QB vs. the Eagles. But now Geno Smith is officially active, and Pete Carroll is the one deciding who will start at QB. No official word yet.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 18, 2023
Latest update: https://t.co/p5jE5IM6f9
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 19, 2023
The signs continue to point to Drew Lock as Seattle’s starting QB tonight, but there hasn’t been – and apparently won’t be – any official announcement from the team.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 19, 2023
Smith missed the Seahawks’ previous game against McCaffrey’s 49ers last week due to a nagging groin injury.
Smith was upgraded from questionable to active on game day and reportedly looked comfortable in warmups. However, his progress wasn’t enough for the Seahawks to start him Monday over Lock — something Schefter now probably wishes he knew about earlier.
