The Case for Geno Smith, Part 3
"How Did We Get Here?"
After three years backing up Russell Wilson (2019–2021), Geno Smith stepped into the spotlight as the Seahawks’ starter in 2022. Reflecting on the moment he suspected he’d take over, Geno said:
"I got a random text from Coach — this was before any news broke — 'We’re going to need you big-time this year!!' I had a pretty good idea what that meant. The first thing I did after was call my mom: 'Mom … it’s about to happen.' She’s like, 'What??? What’s about to happen???'"
Geno went on to pen one of the greatest comeback stories in NFL history, leading Seattle to the playoffs in 2022 and earning Pro Bowl honors in both 2022 and 2023. This came after seven seasons as a backup. However, the team missed the playoffs in 2023, and longtime coach Pete Carroll was let go. Despite the upheaval, Geno stayed in Seattle, outlasting Sam Howell in a QB competition under new coach Mike McDonald.
This year began with promise. Seattle started 3-0, but the team stumbled, losing five of its next six games. Predictably, critics called for Geno’s job, ignoring his obstacles: a shaky offensive line, a pass-heavy offensive coordinator, and adapting to a new system. Still, Geno entered the bye week as the NFL’s top-rated passer. He had also endured thirty-two sacks, fourth most in the league, highlighting the protection issues.
Enter Geno Smith.
Sunday, November 17, 2024, was a do-or-die matchup against the San Francisco 49ers. The stakes were high: Geno had never beaten the Niners in five attempts, Seattle was a 6.5-point underdog, and starting center Connor Williams had shockingly retired midweek.
Time of possession mirrored the earlier Week 6 loss to the 49ers. Seattle held the ball for 26:35 compared to San Francisco’s 33:25 (Week 6: 26:57 vs. 33:03). The difference? How Seattle used its time. In Week 6, Geno threw fifty-two passes, completing thirty for 312 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions. By Week 11, Seattle had shifted to a more balanced attack: Geno attempted thirty-two passes, completing twenty-five for 221 yards, zero touchdowns, and one interception.
As I have argued all year, Seattle thrives with a balanced offense. Offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb finally seems to have embraced this philosophy. In Week 6, Seattle rushed just twenty times for fifty-two yards. In Week 11, the Seahawks ran the ball twenty-eight times for 110 yards. Geno himself contributed twenty-nine yards on the game-winning drive, including a 16-yard scramble after a sack and the decisive 13-yard touchdown run on third-and-2 with just 18 seconds left.
Hats off to the defense.
The Seahawks held San Francisco to seventeen points—down from thirty-six in Week 6. The defense also forced a critical three-and-out after Seattle’s failed fourth-down attempt late in the game, giving Geno the ball back with 2:45 remaining. From there, the magic unfolded.
Geno led the NFL in 2023 with five game-winning drives, and Sunday’s comeback tied him with Jalen Hurts for the most 4th quarter or overtime game-winning drives over the past two seasons. His clutch performance in Week 11 showcased his resilience and leadership.
Now, Seattle’s front office faces a major decision: has Geno earned a contract extension? Based on his performance under pressure and the obstacles he is overcome, this writer believes Geno has undeniably made his case.
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