THE CHEAP SEATS with STEVE CAMERON: Seahawks' QB picture might include ... Jimmy G!

Seems like forever since we’ve talked about the Seahawks’ quarterback muddle.

What’s it been, five days?

Five minutes?

I hate to break this to you in mid-June when NFL training camps don’t begin until late July, but …

This QB thing is going to be the headline item until Seattle has someone besides Drew Lock and Geno Smith on the roster.

You’re probably saying: “Hey, nothing’s changed since the last discussion about the Seahawks, and all that about who might be the starter.”

You are correct, in terms of actual personnel moves as the Hawks have worked their way through OTAs.

Teams have still been training with 90 players — but checking the waiver wire for potential help every day.

Probably every hour.

Yes, the Seahawks appear to be locked in to Smith (who worked almost entirely with the No. 1 unit during camp) and Lock, who …

Who …

Who, with all due respect, was simply a bit of flotsam that floated toward Seattle after the giant collision that finished with the trade of Russell Wilson.

THIS IS a time to call Lewis Riddick up to the stage.

Riddick isn’t just some talking head on ESPN, he’s been a player and executive in the NFL — and knows the game from the inside.

Riddick doesn’t believe the Seahawks will roll into the 2022 season with either Smith or Lock as their No. 1 quarterback.

Riddick: “I know people say, ‘Well, Pete says he’s fine with Drew Lock. He said he’s fine with Geno.’ Come on, no, you’re not.”

This weird situation has so far brought us, in various different scenarios, to Baker Mayfield.

And to Jimmy Garoppolo.

First, Mayfield …

The four-year Cleveland starter has been discarded for the socially questionable Deshaun Watson — and even if the NFL suspends Watson for sexual misbehavior, the Browns intend to use backup Jacoby Brissett rather than Mayfield.

However …

Even if you like Mayfield’s game and write off last year to playing with a fairly serious shoulder injury, the man is technically still not available.

The Browns are desperately looking for a trade partner who will give them something like a sixth-round draft choice — and take Baker’s $19 million salary off their hands.

Once again, I need to repeat something that I’ve written in the past few days.

Mayfield is a better quarterback than either Smith or Lock.

Considerably better.

But now we have to ask …

What about Garoppolo?

If you’re looking at resumes, Jimmy G has accomplished far more with the 49ers than Mayfield managed with the Browns.

They are both in similar situations (with the caveat that Garoppolo is currently in the NFC West, along with Seattle.)

If you’re thinking that would rule out a trade, just toss that whole idea.

There is not going to be a trade involving Mayfield OR Garoppolo.

The NFL market has made that loud and clear, as teams have shown no interest at all in handing over draft capital or actual players to the Browns or 49ers.

Therefore …

At some point before training camp, both Mayfield and Garoppolo will be released.

And that means a whole new ballgame.

MEANWHILE, here are the Seahawks, busy rebuilding and — with the exception of quarterback — looking like they’ve put together a pretty salty team.

Riddick is tight with both Carroll and John Schneider, but insists no one inside the Seahawks organization has told him anything.

Nevertheless, he believes Seattle and Garoppolo are made for each other, and said so.

“He can throw as pretty of a pass as anyone in the NFL, and with some of the weapons that they have out there — when you think of (wide receivers) Tyler Lockett, DK Metcalf, (tight end) Noah Fant, two good running backs, (they) just drafted two bookend offensive tackles, (they’re) building up the defense — Jimmy G is like the piece that they’re missing,” Riddick said.

“Seattle’s setting the table for some quarterback in the next year or two. If it’s not Drew Luck or Geno Smith, which it ain’t gonna be …

“Someone’s going to inherit a football team that has quietly set themselves up.”

Of course, there is another big question looming over the Seahawks situation.

With a huge draft haul coming next year (two firsts and two seconds), Seattle truly might be better this year, but a season or so removed from returning to true powerhouse status.

In that position, would Schneider and Carroll want to pay starting QB money to Mayfield or Garoppolo — unless they’re convinced that they’ve landed a long-term quarterback?

Like, just being better than Smith and Lock doesn’t make you a franchise hero for the next decade.

Is it worth the money and cap space to rent a decent quarterback for one year?

There are endless pieces to this puzzle.

So, yeah …

We’re gonna keep trying to solve it.

Email: [email protected]

Steve Cameron’s “Cheap Seats” columns appear in The Press three times each week. He also writes Zags Tracker, a commentary on Gonzaga basketball which is published monthly during the offseason, and weekly beginning in October.

Steve suggests you take his opinions in the spirit of a Jimmy Buffett song: “Breathe In, Breathe Out, Move On.”