Seahawks QB Geno Smith lets fans in on the mentality that keeps him going
Geno Smith knows competition is everywhere. He doesn’t let it change him.
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith has made a living by beating the odds.
At 32 years old, he wasn't supposed to have a career resurgence. After being a career backup, most of the active NFL world had written him off. But as his infamous quote goes, he didn't write back.
Of late, Smith has suffered through an offseason that the NFL rumor mill churned up copy that suggested he could be a one-and-done starter for Seattle. And then the Seahawks never brought in his supposed quarterback successor.
Still, there is internal competition for the starting role. Smith was given his three-year, team-friendly extension. But the Seahawks also brought back Drew Lock, Smith's backup from last season.
As things stand now, Smith is the team's probable starter. But he knows that role won't be handed to him, and he is embracing competition, whether it be internal from other quarterbacks on the depth chart or through young quarterbacks selected in the draft next season, because that is exactly what prepared him for his moment in the spotlight last season.
“It’s the NFL," Smith said to Bob Condotta at the Seattle Times. There’s a draft every year. There are players out there, guys out there working hard. That’s why I’ve got to work hard. I’ve got to be better than those guys, and I look at everyone as competition. There are a lot of great rookies that are coming out of the draft, and I think they are all deserving. So if we would have picked one, I would have given him my all just as would I do to any teammate. It really didn’t matter to me. I love competition, so I’ll compete with everybody.”
Smith having a "chip" on his shoulder is nothing new. It is what made him the quarterback he is now. And that isn't changing.
His time in Seattle appears to have lent his hand to truly embracing head coach Pete Carroll's message regarding completion of all types: "Always compete." So whether someone is gunning for his job that is currently on the Seahawks' depth chart, or if the Seahawks try to bring another quarterback in next year's NFL draft or by trade, Smith's disposition isn't changing. He is still going to do what he does best — compete.
Feature image via Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports.
