When the Seattle Seahawks traded franchise quarterback Russell Wilson to the Denver Broncos in March, the belief was they’d struggle at the position. The team did get quarterback Drew Lock from Denver in the trade but he was considered just a throw-in to make the deal work.
Even with head coach Pete Carroll praising him, Lock never solidified himself as the starter, leaving the door open for former West Virginia Mountaineers star Geno Smith. During the offseason quarterback battle Smith emerged as the guy, and thus far he’s looked every bit the part. Coming into Sunday’s game at Detroit, Smith was a bright spot despite the team’s rocky start.
Sunday’s showing was further indication that Smith is indeed the starter and might not be a bridge player to another quarterback. In the Seahawks’ 48-45 road win, Smith went 23-for-30 for 320 yards and two passing touchdowns. He also used his legs on another touchdown. This season Smith has passed for 1,037 yards, six touchdowns and just two interceptions. Smith’s play has helped the Hawks to a respectable 2-2 record with one quarter of the season complete.
Geno Smith earned a 92 NGS passing score in Week 4, the highest by any QB in a game this season.
Smith now leads the NFL in NGS passing score (91) and completion percentage over expected (+10.0%) this season.#SEAvsDET | #Seahawks pic.twitter.com/3iFbCxlQtC
— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) October 2, 2022
In his postgame presser head coach Pete Carroll was asked about his QB.
Geno Smith? “Played spectacularly”
Smith’s play helped lead the Seahawks to 555 yards of offense.
Smith Better Than Russell Wilson? This Season, YES
Geno Outplaying Dangeruss| Change Of Fortune
Smith’s play has been so good that saying he’s playing better than the guy he replaced in Russell Wilson isn’t farfetched, but it’s very true at this point of the season.
No one is insinuating that Smith is or ever has been better than the great Russell Wilson, but through four weeks of football this season, Smith has been better. Smith’s familiarity with the offense, having been Wilson’s backup from 2019-21, is definitely beneficial, whereas Wilson is learning a new scheme in Denver, and let’s just say things have been touch and go.
Oh hey, congrats @JayMy_31 and family! 👶 pic.twitter.com/Ky2GzKKW3o
— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) October 2, 2022
From the jump, Carroll has displayed confidence in Smith, even telling reporters this ahead of the Seahawks season opener against Wilson and the Broncos.
“I expect him to be really solid. I expect him to run the offense just like he has been doing it all along. I think he’s well experienced. He’s been around a long time. He’ll be poised about it, and he’s in command of it. And he’s seen a lot of the looks throughout the time we’ve been together in this camp, so he’s ready to go I expect him to play well.”
The always-enthusiastic Carroll has pushed the right buttons with his team and QB thus far this season.
Smith Was Thought To Be Done In The League
Smith was once the hope of the hapless Jets franchise, and that never came to fruition. He gained unwanted notoriety in New York when jaw was broken by a Jets teammate in a 2015 locker room dispute. He bounced around with the Giants and Chargers before landing in Seattle in 2019. Now he’s got the keys to the franchise, and he no longer wants to play babysitter. Geno is proving wrong everyone who ever doubted his ability to lead an NFL team, pass and produce at a high level.
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