Overview
Quarterback; played for the Seattle Seahawks from 2019 to 2024. Named starting QB in 2022 after Russell Wilson’s trade to Denver — a surprise resurgence for a player written off as a career backup. Set franchise records in passing yards and completion percentage in 2024 but was released and traded when the Seahawks signed Sam Darnold. Later reunited with former coach Pete Carroll at the Las Vegas Raiders.
Key Facts
- 2022-2024 Seahawks starter after Russell Wilson trade; previously considered a career backup (Jets 2013-2017, various backup roles)
- 2024 season: franchise-record 4,320 passing yards and 70.4% completion rate (top-5 in NFL); but also 15 interceptions including 4 in the red zone
- Pressured on 38.5% of dropbacks in 2024 — 2nd highest rate among starters; indicative of O-line failures rather than personal fault
- 4 fourth-quarter comebacks in 2024 — tied 2nd in NFL (behind Mahomes); had 8 over the prior two seasons (league best)
- Released when Seahawks signed Sam Darnold on a 3-year, $100.5M deal in March 2025 Seahawks Signing QB Sam Darnold to 3-Year $100.5 Million Contract
- Turned down a deal similar to Darnold’s before the team agreed to trade him
- Joined the Las Vegas Raiders with head coach Pete Carroll
Newsletter Relevance
Organizational Context: Smith’s Seattle arc — from career backup to franchise records to replacement — illustrates how much organizational context shapes QB performance. His elite 2022-2024 numbers reflect system fit; his release reflects Schneider’s cold-eyed reassessment when a better fit (Darnold) became available.
Connections
- John Schneider — GM who extended Smith and then moved on from him
- Sam Darnold — replaced Smith in Seattle
- Pete Carroll — former Seahawks HC; reunited with Smith at Las Vegas Raiders
- Seattle Seahawks — team he starred for 2022-2024
Source Appearances
- 24 Numbers That Sum Up the Seahawks 2024 Season — Smith’s franchise records and weaknesses detailed
- Seahawks Signing QB Sam Darnold to 3-Year $100.5 Million Contract — Smith’s departure and replacement
- Seahawks Are Biggest Threat to Overthrow the NFC — detailed cap comparison: Smith’s $40M cap hit vs. Darnold’s $13.4M; $18.5M guaranteed for Smith in 2026 vs. $0 for Darnold; “Geno now leads the NFL in interceptions (7) after another rough start in Week 4” with Raiders
Open Questions
- Was Smith’s success Seattle-specific or portable? His Raiders tenure will answer this question
- Would Smith have performed as well as Darnold in the 2025 Seahawks system under Klint Kubiak?