DK Metcalf reveals when Geno Smith took command of Seahawks

Veteran quarterback Geno Smith competed with 2019 second-round draft pick Drew Lock for the Seattle Seahawks' starting job last summer, but star wide receiver DK Metcalf had a favorite in mind regarding the gig before training camp. 

Per Josh Alper of Pro Football Talk, Metcalf explained during an appearance on the "Getcha Popcorn Ready with T.O. & Hatch" program that he got together with Smith for a workout shortly after the Seahawks traded Russell Wilson to the Denver Broncos in March 2022. Metcalf recalled that he "could tell just by looking in (Smith's) eyes that it was different" with the 32-year-old realizing he had a legitimate opportunity to open the subsequent campaign as the team's QB1. 

"Just going into training camp, he’s the first one out there and the first one at the facility," Metcalf added about Smith. "He’s watching film. He’s not talking. He just had his head down and he’s working." 

While Wilson struggled with the Broncos throughout the 2022 season, Smith emerged as one of the NFL's feel-good stories who helped the Seahawks accumulate a 4-3 record leading up to the Week 8 game versus the New York Giants that Seattle ultimately won 27-13.

"Week 8, he gave us a pregame speech and you could just see everyone locked in on him because they had seen how much he had matured and changed," Metcalf continued about Smith. "He wasn’t the same Geno. He was like, 'This is my team now. Y'all are gonna listen. I’ve put in the work and I’ve put in the time to where I have stapled my name in Seattle.' And everybody just started to respect him."

According to ESPN stats, Smith finished the regular season ranked first among qualified quarterbacks with a 69.8% completion percentage. He was fifth with a 100.9 passer rating, tied for sixth with a 60.8 adjusted QBR and fourth with 30 passing touchdowns. He earned the first Pro Bowl selection of his career and the Associated Press Comeback Player of the Year Award en route to receiving a new contract that really only keeps him attached to the Seahawks through the upcoming season. 

In short, Smith will once again find himself playing for his Seattle future later this fall.