NFL teams, like any business, wanted a certain style of leadership. For the Seattle Seahawks, that appears to be calmer and less abrasively reactionary. It is likely no coincidence that Seattle was quick to trade wide receiver DK Metcalf and quarterback Geno Smith after they requested trades.
Those players wanted out of Seattle, sure. But they also both had something in common: Each was easily brought to a boiling point by an opponent and some mistake their own team made.
In other words, while Smith, as the quarterback, and Metcalf as a productive veteran, were both leaders in the locker room, the players the Seahawks replaced them with are the complete opposite in terms of emotional volatility.
The Seahawks' concern about Geno Smith's leadership qualities is one reason he was traded
Smith often spoke the right words after a loss, mostly blaming himself. After one loss last season, Smith told reporters to simply watch the film of what happened on the field, implying he was not at fault for some of the mistakes that were made.
His demeanor on the sidelines was sometimes volcanic as well. You didn't have to hear the words he was saying to understand he was not happy. Other players around him could feel that, too. It's challenging to maintain poise when the leader of your offense seems so miffed.
Speaking on the Brock & Salk show on Seattle Sports 710 AM recently, ESPN reporter Brady Henderson laid bare why the Seahawks were OK with trading Geno Smith while the following week signing free agent Sam Darnold. The locker room culture had a lot to do with the moves.
Brady Henderson said, "I think (the Seahawks coaching staff) would tell you that Geno Smith is a more talented thrower of the ball and that the reasons they thought (Sam Darnold) was the better option for them went beyond that...I think they would tell you that they think he’s going to be a better leader than Smith was. I wouldn’t discount the degree to which that was a factor in their decision to pivot away from Smith and go to Darnold — the leadership stuff."
There are definitely things that reporters and fans will never see that go on with players having conversations with other players and coaches. Some of Smith's comments to others are likely one reason why, after he asked to be traded, the Seahawks were so quick to do it.
But what is also clear is that while Smith might have better arm talent than Darnold, Darnold's calm personality is a better fit for what Seattle wants their culture to be. Darnold isn't robotic, but he also does not make a situation worse by showing how upset he is by something.
Does the change of emotional stability at the quarterback position equate to more victories for the Seahawks in 2025? The team hopes so, but it is a risk. Seattle knew it would be competitive with Smith as QB1, but there is not the same guarantee with Darnold, who has had one good season out of seven in the NFL, in the same role.