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Top 2023 Seahawks Training Camp Storylines: What Does Geno Smith Do For An Encore After A Spectacular 2022 Season?

After earning Pro Bowl and Comeback Player of the Year honors, Geno Smith is looking to show he can be even better in his second season as Seattle’s starter.

Jul 20, 2023 at 01:00 PM

John Boyle

Seahawks.com Senior Reporter

With Seahawks training camp kicking off next week, Seahawks.com is taking a look at 10 of the most intriguing storylines, position battles and players heading into the 2023 season. So far we've looked at special teams, tight end, the defensive line, running back, linebacker, the offensive line, receiver and cornerback, and today we look quarterback as Geno Smith prepares to follow up on a Pro Bowl season. Check back tomorrow as we wrap things up with a look at safety.

Key Quarterback Additions: None.

Key Quarterback Departures: None.

At this time last year, the Seahawks were getting ready to open training camp with uncertainty at the most important position in football. After a decade of stability at quarterback, the Seahawks went into last year's camp with Geno Smith and Drew Lock competing for the starting job that had been held by Russell Wilson for the previous 10 seasons.

Smith, of course, went on to not only win the starting job, but to have a phenomenal season in his first year as a starter since 2014. While helping lead the Seahawks back to the playoffs, Smith led the NFL in completion percentage, was named to his first Pro Bowl, and earned Associated Press Comeback Player of the Year honors.

So naturally, this training camp will feel a little bit different both for the Seahawks and for Smith given the success he had last season. Even with a new lucrative contract extension, however, Smith says he isn't treating this year any differently than he was a 2022 season that required him to win the job, then go on and show he is capable of being a quality starting quarterback in the NFL.

"In my mind, no," Smith said during OTAs when asked if this year feels different than last year. "If it is different, I'm just going to work harder to get better. That's really it. In my mind, I feel the same mentality."

That mentality is why Smith was back in the weight room the day after Seattle was eliminated from the playoffs, and it's part of why he believes the 2022 season not only wasn't a fluke, but is one he can improve upon. After all, Smith was starting for the first time in nearly a decade, so he should only be that much sharper to start this season having gotten all that valuable playing time last season. Smith is also heading into his third season under offensive coordinator Shane Waldron, a level of schematic continuity he has not previously experienced in his NFL career. And on top of all of that, Smith is surrounded by a lot of offensive firepower, which only improved in the draft with Seattle selecting receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba in the first round and running back Zach Charbonnet in Round 2. The biggest change, Smith said, might just be his perspective on his career and his life after such a meaningful 2022 campaign.

"Going into my 11th season, obviously it's a blessing to even do that," he said. "But you know, who knows when the clock strikes midnight, right? So I cherish every single opportunity. I cherish every single practice, every single moment out here and in the classroom with my teammates and so I think that's where my perspective has changed a little bit from being a young guy to being an older vet. Obviously, I still feel young but there's some things to think about and so I'm very excited about the future. I think I can do this thing for, God willing, a long time. So I just want to keep working and try and be better every day.

Yet even if Smith is treating his preparation for the upcoming season the same, there is a different dynamic heading into camp with roles more defined for him and for Lock, who also re-signed this offseason.

"They really understand each other, they really have great respect for one another, and they're battling," Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said. "Drew would look at it like maybe Geno looked at it last year, he's ready to play and he's just waiting for his opportunity, he's going to go for it, and Geno ain't letting it happen. It's a great spot for us, and unfortunately only one guy plays, but I think both guys are in a great place right now and we're really fortunate to have them back. It gives us great continuity and we're really moving with the offense, we can do anything we can think of right now. And both those guys are really brilliant at what they're doing. And so the command they have gives us opportunity to really use everybody and use everything that we have. And so whether it's the one guy's in, or the two guy is in, so it's a really terrific relationship, I'm really proud to tell you that because that's not always like that, and we're very fortunate."

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