On Thursday, the Seahawks fell 26-17 to the Rams at home. Yet, Geno Smith managed to shine in place of an injured Russell Wilson.
The starting quarterback suffered a “badly sprained finger” said coach Pete Carroll and then threw his first touchdown pass since 2017. Hence, Wilson was replaced by the former Jets quarterback in the beginning of fourth quarter.
Los Angeles’ lead was cut to 16-14 when Smith found receiver DK Metcalf for a 23-yard touchdown. It was second goal of the night by Metcalf. Smith’s pass was intercepted on a throw intended for Tyler Lockett, giving the Rams the victory. Lockett tripped and fell to the ground, but it was unclear whether he tripped over himself or a Rams defender. On the play, there was no call.
Wilson’s finger was injured during a collision with Aaron Donald of the Los Angeles Rams on a third-quarter incompletion. He continued on to the next series, but left the game soon after. Wilson threw for 152 yards on 11-of-16 passing with a touchdown and an interception.
Despite the loss, Smith impressed viewers, who were surprised to learn he was still in the league, given Wilson’s durability, which does not allow for many snaps for his backup.
“I just had a conversation today with a coach who told me Geno Smith deserves to be a starter in the NFL,” Ryan Dunleavy of The Washington Post tweeted after Smith’s performance.
Smith is in his third season with the Seahawks and is going to turn 31 on Sunday. The Jets selected him in the second round of the 2013 NFL Draft, and he went on to make 29 starts for the team in two seasons.
His time with the Jets was marred when he was punched by teammate IK Enemkpali during training camp in 2015, breaking his jaw and costing him the starting job.
Wilson was unable to hold onto the football long enough to perform in the game, according to Carroll. He went on to say that “everyone was on board” with Smith taking over.
