Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith finds himself at a pivotal crossroads as he enters the final year of his contract. Smith's performance last season has left the Seahawks with a complicated decision about his future. He finished 21st in Total QBR with a score of 53.8, the lowest in his three seasons as Seattle's full-time starter. Despite throwing 21 touchdown passes last season, Smith's 15 interceptions, including four in the red zone, have sparked questions about his consistency.
Smith's future in Seattle remains uncertain due to his fluctuating performances over the past two years. The Seahawks are expected to negotiate an extension, as Smith is scheduled to count $44.5 million against the cap next season. His ability to lead game-winning drives has been a significant asset, tying him with Patrick Mahomes for the most in the league over the last two seasons, according to ESPN Research.
The Seahawks organization recently announced key coaching hires, including Andrew Janocko as Smith's quarterback coach, John Benton as the offensive line coach, and Michael Byrne as an offensive assistant. The new offensive coordinator, Klint Kubiak, expressed enthusiasm about working with Smith.
"That excites me. That fires me up. I've watched his career, studying him now more than I ever have before, but you think about a guy that's been through a lot of adversity, a guy that's been knocked off the high horse and had to claw his way back into the starter's role. And then he comes back the last two years and wins more games in the fourth quarter than anybody in the NFL. That's a guy that I want to coach." – Klint Kubiak
Smith has proven his mettle by leading four game-winning drives in the fourth quarter or overtime last season, underscoring his clutch performance under pressure. His ability to close out games makes him an invaluable asset for Seattle, despite his inconsistent play during other game phases.
The Seahawks are also evaluating the future of wide receiver Tyler Lockett. Lockett intends to continue playing into his 11th NFL season, but he's a likely cap casualty unless both parties can agree on a reduced contract for another consecutive year. The team's decision on Lockett will impact their offensive strategy moving forward.
Klint Kubiak highlighted Smith's accomplishments and resilience as significant factors in accepting the Seahawks' offensive coordinator position.
"Geno's a very aggressive player, has a lot of production. Obviously, he's been doing it for a long time. He's overcome a lot in his career. I have a lot of respect for Geno. It was a huge draw to come here and be able to get to coach him alongside [quarterbacks coach] Andrew Janocko." – Klint Kubiak
The Seahawks have been working diligently to enhance their offensive strategy under new leadership. They aim to provide clarity and detail in their plays, as emphasized by Mike Macdonald.
"I think there's a lot of clarity in what we're trying to do, there's a lot of detail." – Mike Macdonald
Macdonald further elaborated on the structured approach being employed by the coaching staff.
"They've kind of lived through all the things that can happen to the quarterback, so it's very clean in terms of progressions. And I think there's an accountability factor for the whole football team." – Mike Macdonald
As Smith enters this crucial phase of his career, his ability to adapt and address inconsistencies will determine his place with the Seahawks. His track record of overcoming challenges suggests that he might rise to meet these expectations once again.
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