Backup to Pro Bowl QB
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It is not normal to become a franchise quarterback after spending seven years as a journeyman/backup QB. Before the 2022 NFL season, the most touchdowns Geno Smith ever threw in a season was 13, back in his second year with the NY Jets in 2014. However, everything changed in 2022, the Seattle Seahawks were his fourth team, and he had been on the Seahawks since 2019.
Geno won the starting quarterback spot in the preseason; the Seahawks shockingly traded their franchise QB, Russell Wilson, to the Broncos earlier that offseason. Geno led the Seahawks to a win throwing 195 yards and two touchdowns in the first game of the season against Wilson and the Broncos. He has thrown for more yards and touchdowns than Russell did for the Seahawks last year; he even exceeded the seven wins.
Quotes
Maybe even more than that, I want to be an example for anyone who might’ve gotten knocked down from their goals. Not even just in the NFL, but in life — anyone who might be feeling like a disappointment, or who might be getting pegged as someone who can’t achieve certain things. Maybe they can look at me and say, Geno ... he kept grinding. He kept believing in himself. And eventually he found a city that believes in him back.
Geno Smith
Honestly, my tough times would be a dream to someone else. I never will look at it as something that was too hard for me or really tough because throughout that time, I was still enjoying my life and still in the NFL.
Geno Smith
And the perseverance to go through what he's endured as backup for that many years and to finally get a chance to get back and be a starter again, it's freakin' unbelievable.
Rex Ryan
References
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A Letter to the 12s
I didn’t arrive in Seattle last season. I think people forget that about me. I’ve been here for a minute — and my relationship with this city actually goes back all the way to five years ago, when I was taking free agent visits after leaving the Giants. My favorite visit I took by far was with the Seahawks.
The Player's Tribune
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Geno Smith's resurgence with the Seahawks is 'exactly as planned'
But neither Ryan nor the Seattle Seahawks could have predicted it happening like this. Smith has gone from a backup for most of the past seven years and the presumed runner-up in Seattle's preseason quarterback competition to a 2022 Pro Bowl selection who has positioned himself for a huge offseason payday. His stunning career turnaround will come full circle Sunday with the Seahawks (7-8) hosting the Jets (7-8) at Lumen Field.
ESPN
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How Geno Smith Found Redemption In 2022
This year, though, both Smith and the Seahawks have enjoyed a resurgence that few could have predicted. After beating the L.A. Rams on Sunday on a last-minute drive, they currently sit a game back in the NFC West and would make the playoffs if the season ended today. Meanwhile, Smith finds himself ranked fifth in ESPN’s Total QBR, behind only Patrick Mahomes, Tua Tagovailoa, Josh Allen and Jalen Hurts. Although Smith’s play has seemingly come as a surprise to everyone else in the NFL, the Seahawks — and Geno himself — always knew this was a possibility.
FiveThirtyEight
