Geno Smith largely rewards the Seattle Seahawks’ controversial decision to leave Russell Wilson. In four games, the Seahawks have the same record as Wilson’s new team – the Denver Broncos – led by quarterback Smith’s excellent play.
Smith leads the NFL with a 77.3% completion rate, the highest in league history for a quarterback after four games in one season in NFL history (minimum 125 attempts). Smith completed 77.3% of his passes for 1,037 yards with six touchdowns to two interceptions for a passer rating of 108.0 (which ranks third in the NFL). Smith is 12th in touchdown percentage (4.5), seventh in interception percentage (1.5), fourth in yards per attempt (7.9) and tied for 10th in passing touchdowns (six).
Smith joined Derek Carr (2020) and Tom Brady (2007) as the only quarterbacks to complete 70% of their passes in each of the team’s first four games of a season. In Sunday’s win over the Detroit Lions, Smith went 23 of 30 for 320 yards with two touchdowns, no interceptions and a passer rating of 132.6. He also had seven carries for 49 yards and a touchdown as the Seahawks scored 48 points.
“He played some really good football, man,” Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll said. “I’m just delighted for him and for our guys that he’s had that kind of early success to start this season and show us that we can play really good football with him at the helm, and he’s been so steady throughout. along this season process, then he plays and does it, taking it on the road.
“There was a moment in that game when the crowd was as loud as it could have been that day, and he had to do something at the line of scrimmage, and he did. Everybody performed, and we really cashed in a huge way.
“There are a few in the day, but there was a point where he’s totally in control of everything, and he had to communicate with everyone, and everyone played well, and we really benefited from this operation, We were able to talk about a lot of things that they achieved today. It was really, really good.
While Smith is off to a good start in Seattle, how does he compare to Russell Wilson and his early days with the Broncos? Smith beats his former teammate in nearly every major category.
|
Geno Smith |
Russell Wilson | |
| Completion rate | 77.3 (1st) | 61.1 (23rd) |
| pass course | 1037 (10th) | 980 (15th) |
| TD pass | 6 (t-10th) | 4 (t-20e) |
| INT pass | 2 (t-21e) | 1 (t-32e) |
| YPL | 7.9 (4th) | 7.5 (9th) |
| DT percentage | 4.5 (12th) | 3.1 (26th) |
| INT percentage | 1.5 (t-7e) | 0.8 (3rd) |
| Passer ranking | 108.0 (3rd) | 91.1 (15th) |
| Registration | 2-2 | 2-2 |
Clearly, Smith has the edge over Wilson — and Seattle is getting the most out of their quarterback. The jury is still out on Wilson and Smith, but Seattle has the upper hand right now with the 31-year-old flagman who hasn’t started full-time since 2014.
The work Smith has done with Seattle is bearing its first fruits.
“I’m grateful, but it’s just a matter of work. It’s a matter of work,” Smith said. “I worked myself in this position as always, and it’s just about continuing to work and working on day-to-day things and not focusing on anything else.
“I can play better. I haven’t exceeded my expectations. I can play a lot better, just play better.”
