Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith is in his 10th season in the NFL, and after years of being labeled a bust he has become the unquestioned leader of his team and is having the best moments of his career. It took a long time to arrive at this point, but Smith isn’t fazed and keeps it all in its proper perspective.
“I can’t say it was tough because I’ve been so blessed,” Smith said Thursday during the team’s post-practice media session. “Honestly, my tough times would be a dream to somebody else. I never will look at it as something that was too hard for me or too tough because throughout that time, I was still enjoying my life and still in the NFL. For the most part, it was just feeling like there was a glass ceiling and you want to break that ceiling. It’s like something hovering over you that you just want to break, so you can continue to grow further. For me, I just had to stay patient until I got that opportunity.”
Geno Smith Having A Career Year
Geno puts his years as a backup into perspective 🙌 @GenoSmith3 | @Seahawks pic.twitter.com/73Flmk5nDh
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) December 8, 2022
Smith has led the Seahawks to a surprising 7-5 record and is looking like a top-10 QB. A long way from his years as a backup with the New York Jets, New York Giants and these Seahawks.
Through 12 games Smith is completing 72% of his passes and has thrown for 22 touchdowns and only six interceptions. He is ninth in DYAR, seventh in DVOA, fifth in QBR second in quarterback rating.
Smith, now 32, began his career with the Jets in 2013 as a second-round draft pick. He quickly took the starting job and went 8-8 during his rookie year. Smith posted a record of 11-19 over his first two seasons.
Geno Smith Got His Jaw Broken By A Teammate In 2015
In 2015 an event that likely changed with way Smith was viewed in and around the league occurred. Then-teammate IK Enemkpali punched Smith in the face over allegedly not settling a debt. Smith’s jaw was broken and needed surgery to repair.
When Smith signed with the New York Giants in 2017 he played decently and famously ended Eli Manning‘s games-started streak.
Now he’s getting his chance to shine and could be in line for a nice payday. He’s currently on a one-year deal worth $3.5 million.
Smith is right, being a backup quarterback with the chance to start is not a bad way to have a pro football career. His perspective being that playing in the league for 10 years already counts as a massive victory. Everything else is a bonus, and Smith is taking advantage of the opportunity.
We have a few weeks to go before the playoffs begin and the Seahawks are battling the San Francisco 49ers for the division crown. If Smith leads the team to the division and possibly a win during the playoffs, it would be incredible.
It may have taken a decade of ups and downs, but Smith is here, and the Seahawks are his team. He could’ve given up and found himself out of the league. But he continued to work and enjoy the process that is the work. Smith waited for an opportunity, and he’s been making the most of it. The hard times have served to make him a student of the game and a tough nut to crack or throw off track.
