Mike Macdonald enters a Seattle Seahawks team that enjoyed an unexpected resurgence in 2022 and faltered slightly in 2023.
After Seattle traded away former Super Bowl Champion Russell Wilson during that offseason, the Seahawks were left with only two options for their starting signal caller: Smith, and Drew Lock. Geno Smith ultimately won the job, and has experienced a boost to his career.
What Has Mike Macdonald said about Geno Smith?
According to Mike Macdonald, Geno Smith is not guaranteed to start on day one, as he stated on 93.9 KJR:
“I’m excited for Geno to come in here and start playing and start working,” Macdonald said. “I don’t want you to feel like I’m dodging the answer, but that’s what I’m excited about, for him to come in here and start to build this team the way we envision building it.”
Last month, he gave a very similar answer when pressed on Smith and his backup, Drew Lock, on another Seattle-Area Radio Station. Smith will remain with the Seahawks for the next two seasons of the $75 million dollar deal he signed after his 2022 Comeback Player of the Year run, while Lock also remains in place with the team.
Mike Macdonald may seek to get younger in 2024 and beyond, but Smith should have plenty of reasons to convince Macdonald as to why he should stay with the team.
Seattle Seahawks Had a Revival In 2022
Geno Smith was drafted by the Jets in 2013. After just four full seasons with the team, he was released. After floating around the league for the next several seasons he landed in Seattle. 2021 saw Smith make some limited appearances in the stead of incumbent Russell Wilson.
2022 saw a revival of Geno Smith few could have expected. Having started all seventeen games for the Seattle Seahawks, Smith turned in a career year in multiple categories. He threw for over 4000 yards to accompany 30 passing touchdowns. This brilliant performance helped Seattle to a Postseason Berth very few anticipated.
2023 Struggles and Offseason Shockers
Riding high from their miracle 2022 season, Pete Carroll and Geno Smith led the way for the Seattle Seahawks into the 2023 season. Smith, however, would experience a step backwards during the season. In 15 games, Smith would throw for both less passing yards and touchdowns than he had in 2022, and would miss two of the four games of Seattle’s four game losing streak between late November and mid December.
Seattle fell just short of a return trip to the postseason in 2023. Pete Carroll would then shock the NFL Community by announcing his intent to step down as Seahawks Coach early in the 2024 offseason. In stepped Mike Macdonald, who will now be one of the league’s youngest active coaches. He will be the 9th Head Coach in franchise history.
Who Might Replace Geno Smith For the Seattle Seahawks?
Lock is the immediate option to replace Smith, should Geno and the Seattle Seahawks agree on one. However, to fit the bill of Mike Macdonald possibly seeking to go younger in 2024 and beyond, the next man up may not be too far out of Seattle’s grasp.
Seattle possesses the 16th overall pick in this year’s draft. While it is too far down in the order to realistically ponder a trade into a range where one of the top three quarterbacks are available, two local products might be realistic options: Michael Penix Jr. of Washington, and Bo Nix of Oregon.
While Mike Macdonald did not experience coaching against either QB during their times in college, he may want to turn to either with his 16th selection in next month’s draft, and keep them in the Pacific Northwest. The selection of either player would be a very popular choice for fans of both colleges and the Seahawks.
