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Chemistry Between DK Metcalf & Geno Smith Is Paying Off For Seahawks Offense 

As DK Metcalf detailed Wednesday, the chemistry between him and Geno Smith, built over several seasons together, is showing up for Seattle’s offense this season.

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The chemistry between DK Metcalf and Geno Smith has been evident ever since Smith took over the starting job, and has already been on display numerous times this season, most notably last weekend when those two tapped into the work they put in during training camp to connect on a 71-yard touchdown in the Seahawks' Week 3 win over Miami.

Now, if those two could just get on the same page when it comes to press conferences, their connection would be darn near perfect.

Last week when praising his Pro-Bowl receiver and the growth he has shown in his career, Smith said Metcalf is "sending me spreadsheets of tendencies and he's sending me clips of the cornerback and just different ways that he wants to attack. We're collective in our efforts and figuring out how to put together a game plan, so that we can attack the defense in the best way possible. He's leading that charge, studying his butt off, leading that receiver room."

When he was asked Wednesday about those spreadsheets, Metcalf looked confused, then smiled and said, "I provided spreadsheets? No, I mean I type some quick stuff up in my notes on my iPad, but that's about it. No number crunching or spread sheets, none of that."

Well however those two are communicating, it's paying off for Seattle's offense. A week after Metcalf caught 10 passes for 129 yards, including a 56-yard touchdown, in a win at New England, he had four catches for 104 yards against the Dolphins, including a 71-yard touchdown that illustrated how that extra work is paying off, be it in the form of spreadsheets, iPad notes or any other form of communication.

"It's just the cerebral-ness of being in games, making quick adjustments on the sideline," Metcalf said. "We had one play called, and we had ran that specific play during training camp. He told me to read it out, and during training camp I did, and we hadn't revisited it until Sunday. For it to work out that way just speaks to the level of trust that we have with each other. I had to be in the right spot, and he had to put the ball to where only I could get it. The chemistry just speaks for itself just by the practice reps or just in film study or texting when we're at home watching film, it just comes to life on Sunday from all our hard work. I think it's just a testament to both of our commitment to the game."

As Smith explained after Sunday's win, the touchdown was the result of Smith and Metcalf both recognizing a particular coverage, then with a quick look making and adjustment to Metcalf's route, resulting in Metcalf running a route that put the safety in a bind, allowing Metcalf to break free for a long score.

"That was a play that we had been repping all offseason, give DK the option to read that right there," Smith said. "If we get the coverage we like, he's going to take the top off it. So they were playing low quarters on that side; they play up half to the other side; we got the safety in the position we want him, and he really bit down on the dig route and DK was able is it get behind him. I thought the protection was great. Allowed us the extra second we needed to get ball downfield. That was a big play for us."

Another catch in last weekend's game showed not only the connection Smith and Metcalf have, but also the work Metcalf put in this offseason to sharpen his game. After Smith evaded pressure on Seattle's second possession of his game, he saw Metcalf on the right sideline with Dolphins cornerback Kendall Fuller in coverage. Fuller was in good position, but had his back to Metcalf, so Smith, trusting his own accuracy and Metcalf's playmaking ability, threw a pass over Fuller's head that Metcalf was able to go up and get for a 22-yard gain, a catch that set up a Zach Charbonnet touchdown run on the next play.

"Probably last year I would have dropped the ball, but this year I just so happened to catch it," Metcalf said. "I think it's just me taking the next step of making my contested catches whenever Geno trusts me to put the ball up there like that."

Metcalf is probably being a little unnecessarily harsh on himself; he's made similar catches in the past, but he still wanted to be better at making contested grabs this season.

"That definitely was a focus for me this offseason, contested catches or 50-50 balls, going up and attacking the ball instead of trying to let it come down to me and catch it over my shoulder," Metcalf said. "… Geno came down (to Los Angeles) and we threw during the offseason, and I had my trainer guard me face-up and had his arm up, and I had to jump up over him and catch the ball."

Heading into a Week 4 game at Detroit, the Seahawks will be counting on Metcalf to again be a big part of their offense, and fittingly, Metcalf will be looking to get the job done going against the former team of a player he looked up to as a young receiver, Hall of Famer Calvin Johnson, the gold standard for receivers who possess a rare combination of size and speed.

"I still watch his highlights today," Metcalf said. "Just to be compared to him is a big blessing and honor. I just thank God that he's the one I'm being compared to, but still trying to live up to the type of career that he had in Detroit. But a great receiver, great friend, great mentor to me. Just great to be compared to him."

Go behind the scenes with team photographer Rod Mar as he shares moments from the Seahawks' 24-3 win over the Miami Dolphins in Week 3 of the 2024 season.

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