Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith exacted some revenge against the New York Jets, the team that drafted him in 2013.
The Seattle Seahawks expressed the utmost confidence in Geno Smith to lead the offense heading into the 2022 season. That was met with eye rolls and laughter. Well, it’s the Seahawks and Smith who are laughing now, as they enter Week 18 with a chance to make the playoffs. They got to this position thanks to Smith’s performance in Week 17 against the team that drafted him — the New York Jets.
On Sunday, the Seahawks easily defeated the Jets 23-6. Not only did it help the Seahawks enter Week 18 with playoff implications, but he also eliminated his former team from postseason contention.
Geno Smith eliminates Jets from playoff contention
Days ahead of the game Smith had some complimentary comments about the Jets, saying that he has “a lot of love for the Jets, the organization, and a lot of people that are still there that were there when I got drafted.”
In the Week 17 contest, Smith completed 18-of-29 pass attempts for 183 yards and two touchdowns.
After the contest, it appeared that Smith was giving Zach Wilson, the 2021 second-overall pick, some words of encouragement. The video was captured by the Seahawks social media team.
Smith was a standout quarterback at West Virginia University and was considered one of the top prospects at his position. He was selected by the Jets in the second round, becoming the second quarterback selected in the draft behind E.J. Manuel. His stint with the Jets didn’t turn out the way many had expected, as he struggled on the field and dealt with a variety of injuries. In fact, his final season with the team ended after he tore his ACL.
Through his four years with the Jets, Smith recorded 12-18 record, 5,962 passing yards, 28 touchdowns, 36 interceptions, and a 57.9 completion percentage.
After the 2016 season, Smith spent separate one-year stints with the New York Giants, where he notably started in place of Eli Manning one week, and the Los Angeles Chargers. He joined the Seahawks in 2020, and has remained ever since.
Smith started some games in 2021 in place of an injured Russell Wilson, and he did show promise. In three starts, Smith had a 1-2 record. But, in his four appearances, Smith threw for 702 yards, five touchdowns and one interception while completing 68.4 percent of his passes.
Entering Week 17, Smith had recorded 3,886 passing yards, 27 passing touchdowns, and nine interceptions while completing a league-high 70.7 percent of his passes. Smith was named to the Pro Bowl for the first time in his career as a member of the NFC team.
Smith now has the chance to lead Seattle to the playoffs. All they need to happen in Week 18 is to defeat the Los Angeles Rams, and for the Detroit Lions to defeat the Green Bay Packers.