NFL slaps a healthy dose of disrespect on Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith

Forget the statistics, football fans. At least, that is what an annual survey by The Athletic (subscription required) of NFL coaches and team executives is telling us. Not only does Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith fall to number 20 in the overall ranking, but he is the worst starting quarterback in the NFC West. Again, according to the ranking.

Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford somehow ranks fifth in the league even though he is clearly nowhere near a top-five QB. Brock Purdy of the San Francisco 49ers ranks at 12. Arizona Cardinals QB Kyler Murray is number 17.

The issue with the ranking is that over the last two seasons that Smith has been the starter for the Seahawks, he has the second-best Total QBR in the division as well as the second-best touchdown percentage, and interception percentage (all behind Purdy), and he has the most game-winning drives by a large margin. This isn't to say Smith is the best quarterback in the NFC West, but there is a real argument he is number two.

Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith gets massively disrespected in a survey of NFL coaches and execs

One might wonder if there is some bias from the coaches and execs surveyed this summer by The Athletic. Maybe Seattle just is too far out in the Pacific Northwest to notice. Maybe people think Seattle did not throw much under former head coach Pete Carroll (a common misperception) and that Smith did not do too much. Possibly, some still view Smith as a career backup.

Smith, like every quarterback, makes mistakes, of course. He is not perfect. He probably should take off and run more than he has done. While his interception rate is quite low, he does put other passes in harm's way. He has still led a team with an atrocious defense and poor pass-blocking to back-to-back winning records when a lesser quarterback might have only won five games.

Here is the positive part. Smith should be playing under better offensive direction in 2024 with new offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb. The OC will likely run the ball more than former OC Shane Waldron did, and likely develop more designed plays so that the tight ends get the ball. This is going to help Geno Smith be even more efficient.

There is a very real possibility that Smith has the best season of his career this season. Maybe if that happens, the NFL will have a better - and more accurate view - of the quarterback. One thing is for certain. Smith is going to use any disrespect to drive him to be a better player.

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