Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith has been a curious figure in the NFL over the past few years. After spending the first part of his career as a journeyman backup, Smith had a breakout 2022 season, filling in for an injured Russell Wilson and leading the Seahawks to the playoffs. His remarkable performance not only revived his career but also sparked significant conversations about his ability as a starting quarterback in the league. However, despite his success, the task of fully evaluating Smith remains challenging for analysts, coaches, and fans alike. Several factors contribute to the difficulty of assessing his game, from his varied career path to the team structure and the unique challenges of the quarterback position itself.
The first complication in evaluating Geno Smith stems from his unusual career path. After being drafted by the New York Jets in the second round of the 2013 NFL Draft, Smith’s career hit several roadblocks. A combination of inconsistent play, internal team struggles, and coaching changes in New York led to a series of benchings. Smith never fully established himself as the face of the franchise during his time with the Jets. After leaving New York, he spent time as a backup with several other teams, including the New York Giants and Los Angeles Chargers, before joining the Seahawks in 2019.
It wasn’t until 2022, with Russell Wilson traded to the Denver Broncos, that Smith was given a legitimate shot to start again. His 2022 season, where he passed for over 4,000 yards with 30 touchdowns and just 11 interceptions, was a career revival and one of the NFL’s most surprising storylines. However, the question remains: Was this breakout season a flash in the pan, or is Smith a legitimate starting quarterback in the NFL?
Given his inconsistent history, Smith’s evaluation is challenging because there is no clear precedent for his level of success. Most quarterbacks who perform at his level in their first full season as a starter are either young talents or veterans with longer, more predictable trajectories. Smith, on the other hand, was an established backup before experiencing his best season at age 32. This unexpected leap makes it hard to determine whether he has truly turned the corner or if he simply had a standout year.
Another reason it’s tough to evaluate Smith lies in the context of the team around him. The Seahawks, under head coach **Pete Carroll**, have built a system that is unique compared to many other NFL teams. Seattle’s offense relies heavily on the running game, with **Kenneth Gainwell** and **Zach Charbonnet** contributing to the rushing attack, and the offensive line being a critical part of the team’s success. Carroll’s emphasis on a balanced attack often limits the opportunities for quarterbacks to put up huge passing numbers, making it more difficult to evaluate their true potential.
Smith has also benefited from having an impressive supporting cast in the passing game, including standout receivers like **DK Metcalf** and **Tyler Lockett**, both of whom are among the most talented and consistent receivers in the league. While Smith’s performance in 2022 was impressive, the quality of his supporting cast raises the question: How much of his success was due to his own play, and how much of it was a result of his offensive weapons? Evaluating Smith purely based on his statistics does not always paint a complete picture of his performance.
Moreover, the Seahawks’ emphasis on the run and a controlled passing attack means that Smith is often asked to make shorter, more precise throws rather than constantly pushing the ball down the field. His success in this role is a testament to his efficiency, but it’s still unclear whether he would thrive in a more pass-heavy system. His inability to consistently perform at a high level in pressure situations, such as late-game scenarios or against high-caliber defenses, also clouds his evaluation.
Another reason why Smith’s evaluation is complicated lies in his performance under pressure. While he was statistically excellent in 2022, including setting a franchise record for passing yards, Smith’s consistency in clutch moments remains in question. Despite a strong regular-season performance, Smith’s struggles during critical moments—especially in high-stakes games—have raised concerns.
Smith’s tendency to falter in key situations can be attributed to a lack of experience in those scenarios. His years spent as a backup have made him less accustomed to performing under the spotlight of being the clear leader of the offense. It remains to be seen whether he can develop the mental toughness needed to execute at the highest level when it counts the most, particularly in playoff games.
Additionally, there’s the factor of how Smith’s style of play adjusts to the inevitable shifts in his career. Injuries, changes to the roster, and potential coaching changes could all impact his performance. While his 2022 season was stellar, we’ve seen quarterbacks throughout history have successful seasons, only to fall off in subsequent years. Without a lengthy track record of elite play, it’s difficult to fully trust that Smith can maintain his level of performance as his career progresses.
Evaluating Geno Smith is a complicated task because of the various factors that contribute to his career trajectory and current play. From his unexpected rise as a starter to the supporting cast around him and the style of offense he’s operating in, there are numerous variables that make it difficult to gauge his true potential. While Smith has shown flashes of brilliance, particularly in his breakout 2022 campaign, the question remains whether he can sustain that level of play in the long term.
For Seattle, the hope is that Smith has truly found his footing and that his 2022 season was not just an anomaly. For analysts and fans, it’s a waiting game to see whether he can prove that his past is behind him and that he is indeed a legitimate starting quarterback capable of leading the Seahawks to consistent success. Until Smith can establish a more prolonged period of success and consistency, the debate about his long-term viability in the NFL will likely continue.