'Sitting Behind Russ Motivated Him': Seahawks D.K Metcalf Details Geno Smith's Rise to Starting QB

Seattle quarterback Geno Smith had to bide his time to become a starting quarterback for the Seahawks, and when his opportunity came, he didn't waste it.

Geno Smith had to bid his time to become a starter with the Seattle Seahawks. After backing up Russell Wilson for two seasons, Smith finally got his chance to be Pete Carroll's starter after Wilson was traded to the Denver Broncos in March 2022.

When a shift in quarterbacks like that occurs, sometimes the "new guy" coming in can have a tough time of it ... but not Geno.

Seahawks receiver D.K. Metcalf has had a front-row seat to the development of Smith as the team's starting quarterback and detailed what made him ready to become the offense's leader.

"I believe sitting behind Russ [Wilson] motivated him and showed how good he could really be in this league," Metcalf said on The Herd. "The year we traded Russ, and he's the starter, he comes into training camp, and he's locked in. Body-wise, mentally, he's watching film. I saw the transition from 'Okay, I'm a backup' to 'This is my team, I'm the starter.'

​"In Week 8, he won the locker room over, and he was giving pre-game speeches, and people were listening and buying into Geno Smith. It was just amazing to see."

Smith had an incredible first season as he led the Seahawks to an unlikely playoff berth and also broke several franchise single-season passing records. 

With an offseason that has seen the defense be beefed up with Bobby Wagner returning and linebacker Devin Bush added, the offense has largely remained the same.

Seattle has two first-round picks in the upcoming draft (No. 5 and No. 20), and either selection could give Smith another offensive weapon to use alongside Metcalf and Tyler Lockett.

Now entering his second season as the Seahawks starter, expectations are high for what the franchise can achieve next season. But if anyone is worried about Smith, he's proven why they shouldn't be.

Sitting behind Wilson and learning his craft has led him to this moment. After a brilliant first season as the team's starter, Smith can build on what Seattle accomplished last season. But perhaps more importantly, his teammates have "bought in" to what he brings to the table as the team's quarterback.

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