Geno Smith embracing pressure as Seahawks begin new era under HC Mike Macdonald

Geno Smith knows he’s going to play a big role in guiding the Seattle Seahawks into a new era under head coach Mike Macdonald. 

Smith, who always makes sure to keep a positive attitude, opened up about the transition from Pete Carroll to Macdonald at the start of training camp. 

In an interview with the NFL Network's Taylor Bisciotti, Smith talked about his role as a team leader and his relationship with his new head coach. 

“It's been awesome," Smith said. "Coach [Mike] Macdonald, he's the best, man. He's putting his stamp on the team. We're flying around. We are working, we are getting the job done that we need to get done. We have got to win for him. I think everyone has bought in. We are ready to go out there and put on a show.”

To Smith’s credit, he worked with several of his top targets throughout the offseason. A video surfaced of him firing a perfect deep ball to second-year wideout Jaxon Smith-Njigba as the duo worked on routes together earlier in the month.

With some expecting Seattle to turn to the much younger Sam Howell if things go south, Smith knows 2024 will be a pivotal season for his career. 

Smith finished the 2023 season with 3,624 passing yards, 21 total touchdowns and nine interceptions. Smith also completed 64.7 percent of his passes in 15 games. Smith’s efforts earned him a Pro Bowl invitation for the second straight year. In 2022, Smith won the NFL Comeback Player of the Year award with 4,282 passing yards and 30 touchdowns.

Even though Smith’s 2023 season was a drop in production and success from his remarkable comeback story of the year before, Smith still kept the Seahawks in playoff contention until the last week of the regular season.

In typical fashion, he kept everything in perspective after the season finale despite missing the playoffs.

“Circumstances shouldn’t dictate your mood or your effort. We fight no matter what,” said Smith following a 21-20 win over the Arizona Cardinals. 

The pressure is now on Smith to get his team back in the playoffs and hold onto his starting job in 2024.