3 bold predictions for Geno Smith for the rest of the season

Here we are, sitting at the bye week for the Seattle Seahawks after an up-and-down season thus far. Seattle is under .500 with a new coaching staff and philosophy having been newly implemented. Said coaching staff has most likely slipped some time into the bye for evaluation of the first nine weeks and evaluation for the future of the team.

We also sit on the precipice of Geno Smith's closing statement about why he should continue to be the starting quarterback in the future. From the game three years ago where he stepped in for an injured Russell Wilson and almost came back to defeat the Rams to Geno chants to being around when the massive trade of Wilson went down, he was here.

The 12s saw Smith earn the starting job over Drew Lock, then immediately outduel Russell Wilson's Broncos in an epic game that featured a memorable and jovial postgame quote by Geno. The shocking efficiency and surprising wins continued that season, leading to a Pro Bowl and to Comeback Player of the Year. Smith and the Seahawks then hit down years last year and this year in the final year of Carroll and the first year of Macdonald. Harvey Dent was the one who said you either die a hero or you live long enough to see yourself become the villain.

Three bold predictions for Seahawks quarterback, Geno Smith over the final portion of the 2024 NFL season

I can't remember a much more polarizing quarterback in Seattle's professional football history. Most quarterbacks have usually been either pretty great or pretty bad. His defenders have seen the quick time to throw against intense and constant pressure allowed by a horrendous offensive line. They would point to his efficiency over the last 3 years as top-tier when he is given time to throw. The fact that his level of play has exceeded his contract value thus far could give some hope for more continuity and growth.

His detractors would say that he is near the end of the line, and untapped potential may no longer be there. They would point out his age and potential contract expectations, possibly not being a fit with the timeline of a young and reinvented Seahawks team. The thought that Smith has not truly lifted the team on his back would creep across their minds. Let's talk about what will happen to close out the season.

Prediction 1: Smith will go on an arial assault tour, improving his stats and moving into the top 10 of one of the ratings scales

If stud right tackle Abraham Lucas is able to come back healthy and become a factor in pass protection and run blocking, this offense could stabilize. That's a big, big IF. The offensive line for the Hawks has been a nightmare of an issue all year. If #7 got some decent protection and could sit back there and sling it, hey, who knows what kind of ceiling there is?

Offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb would be licking his chops if he could get the time needed to run advanced deep routes with DK Metcalf, Tyler Lockett, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, and Noah Fant. Geno is currently 20th in Passer Rating and 19th in QB Rating. If this scenario comes to pass, and the line play improves, Geno Smith can go on a run and maximize this Grubb-led attack. He'll move into the top 10 of one of those rating categories.

Prediction 2: G-Money will give us a tear-jerker of a quote in either his final game or final press conference

Geno has always been an eloquent and thoughtful individual when it comes to answering questions and describing his points of view and frames of mind. Teammates have gladly followed him and spoken well of his leadership qualities. He will give us one last parting gift of a message. A beautiful thought that we'll all ponder as the team rides off into an offseason shrouded in mystery.

I mean, c'mon, this is the artist that brought us the timeless classic: "They wrote me off, I ain't write back though. That's the problem!" I had friends who were fans of other teams texting me and telling me that they were rooting for him after that moment. He became a national story and an inspirational tale of faith, determination, and perseverance for athletes everywhere. His story is not yet done.

Prediction 3: Geno Smith will play very well in the post-bye portion of the season, but it will not be enough to avoid getting cut

The Seahawks won nine games last year under former head coach Pete Caroll, so keeping the roster mostly intact for the first year made all of the sense in the world. Mike Macdonald and Ryan Grubb will huddle after this season and really start to put a new imprint on this organization. Who will be the cornerstones of the future in Seattle is a question that is being asked and answered as we go each week. Straight off rip, it seems that the jump in contract amount will be prohibitive in Geno Smith's chances of returning next year.

Geno Smith will go on to prove that he should be a starting quarterback in the NFL, but it will not be with the Seattle Seahawks. Mike Macdonald and the team are going to shift to a new era even more forcefully next year and bring their guys in. Sam Howell will be here, getting paid only $1M! Getting him cheap competition in free agency or young competition in the draft could be an option that the Seattle brass pilots full steam ahead towards.

If nothing else, the Geno Smith era has been memorable, and we should remember and appreciate what he did in the PNW. Let's hope if that's the case that he goes out with a bang, getting a few receiving threats to new echelons in their careers.

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