The Seattle Seahawks took a low-risk, high reward on quarterback Geno Smith in the 2022 NFL offseason after moving on from Russell Wilson. They allowed Smith to show he can do to become a legitimate option as the signal-caller or risk losing to Drew Lock. The result was incredibly beneficial to both sides. Smith became a Pro Bowl and rebirthed his pro career by winning the 2022 NFL Comeback Player of the Year. The Seahawks got the opportunity to re-sign Smith to a team-friendly deal and address other position needs.
Not only did the Seahawks believe in Smith’s potential to remain to play at a high level, but they built around him. It is now up to Smith to see if he keeps the Seahawks a playoff team, a serious contender for the NFC West/Super Bowl, or slip back in the first 10 years of his career.
Is Geno Smith Ready to Become a Star for the Seattle Seahawks?
Smith showed he can lead a playoff team
When it was time for Smith to take the field at home versus the Denver Broncos, Smith took control of the offense and never looked back. The offense for the Seahawks finished the regular season ranked 11th in the league in passing yards per game (231.4). Smith found ways to rejuvenate the offense with a solid passing rhythm short to running backs and tight ends, medium passes to Tyler Lockett, and deep passes to D.K. Metcalf. When the offense was one-dimensional late in the season due to the inefficiency of the interior offensive line, the Seahawks still had Smith leading the team to success in high-scoring games.
Smith was sharp with the ball and his decision-making to get the ball to his intended targets. There were rare occasions when he would force the ball into coverage. According to NFL Next Gen Stats, Smith was the most accurate deep passer in the league this past season. Smith completed 47.1% of his deep passes, only behind the Miami Dolphins’ Tua Tagovailoa.
In the Wild Card 41-23 loss to the San Francisco 49ers, Smith completed 25-of-35 of his passes for 253 yards, two touchdowns, one interception, and a QBR of 65.6 while constantly rushed by the elite defensive line of the 49ers. Smith rushed for 28 yards and four carries while losing one fumble. While Smith wasn’t perfect, he and Metcalf were the biggest reasons why the Seahawks remained in contention in the game.
The Seahawks have built around Smith
Smith was able to prove that he can lead a Seahawks team into the playoffs with the team having the mindset of reloading. With a full off-season to prepare and build their offense, the Seahawks can develop Pro-Bowl-level Smith into an MVP contender. The Seahawks have already restabilized the starters on the offensive line and are preparing for new rookies to potentially take over at the center and right guard positions.
The biggest accomplishment for the Seahawks on the offensive side of the ball this offseason was to build more high-caliber weapons for Smith as opposed to looking for a younger and future franchise quarterback. Seattle drafted Ohio State wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba with a first-round pick and a backup running back Zach Charbonnet with a second-round pick to install a more aggressive rushing offense in addition to Kenneth Walker.
The Seahawks were tied for 11th in the league in passing yards per game (231.4), but they were ranked 18th in rushing yards per game (120.1). They needed to give Walker relief while relying on Smith to solely carry the offense. Carroll is looking to the Seahawks’ offense back to a ground-and-pound offense.
Expectations for Geno Smith in 2023
Going into the 2022 NFL Season, there were no expectations for the Seahawks of Smith to succeed. When Smith played at a consistent level throughout the regular season, the league and fans were shocked to see a former NFL Draft bust leading a team past the Russell Wilson era in a short time span of time. Expectations are now high on Smith as he has had a full off-season of training. Seattle also gained new starters and the postseason hype is strong from the 12.
This upcoming season will be the first time that Smith will be going into the season as the first-string quarterback in back-to-back seasons since his first two years in the league in 2013 & 2014. What makes this upcoming season for the Seahawks and the 2014 New York Jets is that the Seahawks have no shortage of talent. The Jets had Chris Ivory as the leading rusher, Eric Decker as the leading receiver followed by Jeremy Kerley, and Sheldon Richardson as the leading pass rusher.
With a more steady team and a hungry quarterback leading the way, the Seahawks and Smith have a chance to be even better this upcoming 2023 NFL Season.
Main Image: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
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