Klint Kubiak had several reasons for wanting to be the Seahawks' new offensive coordinator, including, as he noted on Tuesday, a chance to work with head coach Mike Macdonald, as well as the opportunity to work for an organization that is well respected throughout the NFL.
And another big draw, Kubiak explained in his introductory press conference, was the fact that he's taking over an offense that features Geno Smith at quarterback.
"Geno is a very impressive player; he's had a lot of production," Kubiak said. "Obviously he's been doing it for a long time, he's overcome a lot in his career. I have a lot of respect for Geno. It was a huge draw to come here and be able to coach him alongside (quarterbacks coach) Andrew Janocko. We have high expectations for him, we're going to push Geno and get the best out of him, and we'll do that by pushing his teammates as well. It's not just his show, it's a team thing, and he's got to be the head of that."
Throughout his press conference, Kubiak talked about wanting to have a physical and balanced offense, and one that features a strong running game. And Macdonald sees Kubiak's scheme, which has deep roots in the Mike Shanahan scheme his father, Gary, used during his lengthy NFL coaching career, as a coordinator under Shanahan and later as a head coach, will be beneficial for Smith.
"I think there's a lot of clarity in what we're trying to do, there's a lot of detail," Macdonald said. "They've kind of lived through all the things that can happen to the quarterback, so it's very clean in terms of progressions. And I think there's an accountability factor for the whole football team. We've all got to play on the same accord, we have to be in the right spot when we need to be there, the ball needs to be out on time, the protection all works hand in hand. It's going to take everybody, but it's a very clear vision and detailed on how we need to get there."
Of all the traits that have helped Smith thrive in his three seasons as Seattle's starter, Kubiak is most impressed with some of the intangibles that helped Smith go from longtime backup to two-time Pro-Bowler.
"I think Geno is tough as nails," Kubiak said. "You look at the guy in the fourth quarter, and he goes and wins football games. That excites me, that fires me up. I've watched his career, studying it more now than I ever have before, but you think about a guy who has been through a lot of adversity and a guy that's been knocked off the high horse and had to claw his way back into the starter's role. Then he comes back the last two years and wins more games in the fourth quarter than anybody in the NFL. That's a guy I want to coach."
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith set franchise records for completions, completion percentage and passing yards during the 2024 season. Check out some of the best photos from his historic 2024 season.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) during 2024 offseason workouts.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) during 2024 offseason workouts.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) during 2024 offseason workouts.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) during 2024 offseason workouts.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) during 2024 offseason workouts.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) during 2024 offseason workouts.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) during 2024 training camp.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) during 2024 training camp.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) during 2024 training camp.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) prior to kickoff of the preseason matchup vs. the L.A. Chargers at SoFi Stadium.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) during 2024 training camp.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) prior to kickoff of the preseason matchup vs. the Cleveland Browns at Lumen Field.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) prior to kickoff of Week 1 vs. the Denver Broncos at Lumen Field.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) prior to kickoff of Week 1 vs. the Denver Broncos at Lumen Field.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) prior to kickoff of Week 1 vs. the Denver Broncos at Lumen Field.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) prior to kickoff of Week 1 vs. the Denver Broncos at Lumen Field.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) rushes for touchdown vs. the Denver Broncos in Week 1 at Lumen Field.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) celebrates a touchdown vs. the Denver Broncos in Week 1 at Lumen Field.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) celebrates the Week 1 win vs. the Denver Broncos at Lumen Field.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) celebrates the Week 1 win vs. the Denver Broncos at Lumen Field.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) during the Week 2 matchup vs. the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) during the Week 3 win vs. the Miami Dolphins at Lumen Field.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) during the Week 3 win vs. the Miami Dolphins at Lumen Field.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) during the Week 3 win vs. the Miami Dolphins at Lumen Field.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) celebrates the Week 3 win vs. the Miami Dolphins at Lumen Field.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) during the Week 4 Monday Night Football matchup vs. the Detroit Lions at Ford Field.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) during the Week 4 Monday Night Football matchup vs. the Detroit Lions at Ford Field.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) during the Week 4 Monday Night Football matchup vs. the Detroit Lions at Ford Field.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) during the Week 5 matchup vs. the New York Giants at Lumen Field.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) during the Week 5 matchup vs. the New York Giants at Lumen Field.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) during the Week 5 matchup vs. the New York Giants at Lumen Field.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) during the Week 6 Thursday Night Football matchup vs. the San Francisco 49ers at Lumen Field.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) during the Week 6 Thursday Night Football matchup vs. the San Francisco 49ers at Lumen Field.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) during the Week 6 Thursday Night Football matchup vs. the San Francisco 49ers at Lumen Field.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) during the Week 7 win vs. the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes Benz Stadium.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) during the Week 7 win vs. the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes Benz Stadium.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) during the Week 7 win vs. the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes Benz Stadium.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) during the Week 7 win vs. the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes Benz Stadium.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) and the team celebrate the Week 7 win vs. the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes Benz Stadium.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) during the Week 9 matchup vs. the L.A. Rams at Lumen Field.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) during the Week 9 matchup vs. the L.A. Rams at Lumen Field.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) during the Week 9 matchup vs. the L.A. Rams at Lumen Field.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) during the Week 9 matchup vs. the L.A. Rams at Lumen Field.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) during the Week 9 matchup vs. the L.A. Rams at Lumen Field.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) during the Week 11 win vs. the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) during the Week 11 win vs. the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) during the Week 11 win vs. the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) during the Week 11 win vs. the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) during the Week 11 win vs. the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) during the Week 11 win vs. the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) during the Week 12 win vs. the Arizona Cardinals at Lumen Field.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) during the Week 12 win vs. the Arizona Cardinals at Lumen Field.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) during the Week 12 win vs. the Arizona Cardinals at Lumen Field.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) during the Week 12 win vs. the Arizona Cardinals at Lumen Field.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) during the Week 13 win vs. the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) during the Week 13 win vs. the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) during the Week 14 win vs. the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) celebrates the Week 14 win vs. the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) during the Week 16 matchup vs. the Minnesota Vikings at Lumen Field.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) during the Week 16 matchup vs. the Minnesota Vikings at Lumen Field.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) during the Week 17 Thursday Night Football matchup vs. the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) during the Week 17 Thursday Night Football matchup vs. the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) during the Week 18 win vs. the L.A. Rams at SoFi Stadium.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) during the Week 18 win vs. the L.A. Rams at SoFi Stadium.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) celebrates the Week 18 win vs. the L.A. Rams at SoFi Stadium.
