Seattle Seahawks' Mike Macdonald all-in on quarterback Geno Smith

There was very little chance the Seattle Seahawks were going to have a quarterback controversy during training camp. The team acquired Sam Howell this offseason and Howell had been a starter for the Washington Commanders in 2023. Geno Smith was still in Seattle, however, and he had done nothing to lose his job.

There are many pundits who do not like Smith. They will throw out that he simply is not good, but they offer no substantial proof of why they think this. This is not to say that Smith is a top-five quarterback, but he certainly isn't a bottom-five. In fact, Smith likely kept the Seahawks from being a bottom-ten of the NFL team in 2023.

The quarterback led the league in game-winning drives and fourth quarter comebacks last season. This was a year after he led the NFC in touchdown passes and the league in completion percentage. Over the two years, Smith has been QB1 for Seattle, his Total QBR ranks in the top 12 in the NFL. He is a good, but not great quarterback, and the statistics back that up.

Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald extremely happy with Geno Smith at quarterback

The talent and leadership Smith brings to Seattle is not lost on the people that matter most, either. One of those people is the new head coach Mike Macdonald. During a press conference this week to address his thoughts on the season that lies ahead and his quarterback situation, Macdonald was effusive in his praise of Smith.

Macdonald told the media, "...the whole thing revolves around the QB, and, he's our quarterback. And we're excited that he is. Quarterback, obviously, is the most important position, but just like anybody that's going to go out there, I don't see how you could put someone out there that you don't have 100 percent faith in. And, they've earned this opportunity, but Geno (Smith), most importantly, he's right there, leading the charge."

Assuming Smith has the same kind of season - or, most likely, under the direction of new offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb, a better one - Seattle should be just as good as they have been. That is because Smith and the offense have not been the issue in the last two seasons. The offense has been good enough to win.

The problem has been the defense. The Seahawks' run defense ranked 31 in the league last year and they weren't much better in 2022. Linebacker coverage was terrible. Macdonald's scheme should help fix those issues. A better defense, with Smith and the offense doing their part as they normally do, could translate to 10 wins or more. That should be good enough to get into the playoffs.

For those clamoring for a quarterback change in Seattle when there does not need to be one, Mike Macdonald has a clear answer. Geno Smith is QB1 and is going to stay that way.

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