Rookie quarterback Russell Wilson has emerged as the Seattle Seahawks' regular-season starter, beating out offseason acquisition Matt Flynn for the job.

Coach Pete Carroll announced his decision in a conference call Sunday night.

"It's been a very exciting competition that has gone on, and Russell has taken full advantage of his opportunities and has done everything that we have asked for on the field and more than what you guys could know off the field in meeting rooms and with our players and how he's represented. He's earned this job," Carroll said. "It was a legitimate competition as we said from the beginning, and with the opportunity he's taken advantage of he deserves to start."

In three preseason games, Wilson, who was drafted in the third round, definitely has shined. He's completed 67 percent of his attempts (35 of 52), throwing for 464 yards, five touchdowns and one interception. He's compiled passer ratings of 91.7, 128.3 and 134.8, respectively.

Meanwhile, Flynn, who was signed to a three-year, $19 million contract, has gone 17 of 26 for 102 yards, no touchdowns and one interception.

Given that Flynn was such a big signing for Seattle this offseason, it seemed unlikely that Wilson would win the job. But the bottom line is that he forced Carroll's hand with the way he's performed this month.

"Was I surprised? I was more-so excited about the opportunity," Wilson said. "I felt like I put a lot of hard work in. Matt's (Flynn) a great player, too, and just to have the opportunity to help lead this football team is huge. Even though I'm a rookie, I believe in the fact that I can help this team win and do a lot of great things."

Said Carroll: "This isn't just based on the quarters we've seen him play. This is based on practice and the challenges that he's undertaken here on the practice field.

"We've combined everything and with the circumstances that have been presented he won this opening challenge here."

Contributing: Associated Press