NFL Coach: Geno Smith Gives Seahawks a Chance to Win, More Than Some Teams Can Say

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith has had his share of ups and downs this year for an 8-7 team whose season is on the brink after a 27-24 loss to the Minnesota Vikings last Sunday.

However, one defensive coach complimented Smith while giving remarks to Jeff Howe for The Athletic's latest NFL quarterback power rankings, noting how he keeps the team competitive, which isn't a luxury other franchises have with their signal-callers right now.

"I personally believe he does give them a chance every game, and that's more than a chunk of teams can say right now," the defensive coach told The Athletic. "Geno's season has been full of peaks and valleys. He can spin the football. He's a good athlete for the position. But the inconsistency of accuracy and decision-making will always be where the valleys exist for him.

"They can't run the ball, and even though he has a plus supporting cast, the more throws they ask him to make in a game, the more it's going to go the other way. It's just a fact. The red area turnovers have been brutal. But he is streaky, and the peaks can convince someone that he belongs."

Smith has enjoyed an impressive career renaissance with the Seahawks beginning in 2022 after largely serving as a backup for the first nine years of his career for four different teams. He won NFL Comeback Player of the Year honors in 2022 after taking the Seahawks starter job, throwing for 30 touchdowns and completing an NFL-high 69.8 percent of his passes. Seattle went 9-8, good enough for a NFC playoff spot.

Smith regressed a bit in 2023, but the Seahawks still went over .500 at 9-8. That wasn't good enough for the playoffs this time around, but the team still had playoff expectations in 2024 under new head coach Mike Macdonald.

It's been a streaky year in Seattle (3-0, then 4-5, then 8-5 and now 8-7). It's been the same way for Smith, who's completed over 70 percent of his passes but sit second in the NFL with 15 interceptions. He's ultimately performed well overall and currently sits 15th in the aforementioned QB rankings.

As the coach said, though, Smith gives the Seahawks a chance to win every week. A lot of QB-hungry teams mired at the bottom of the standings can't say the same right now, and their seasons were over before Thanksgiving.

Seattle remains alive. Smith and the Seahawks have the 4-11 Chicago Bears on the road next on Thursday evening.