Seahawks' Klint Kubiak makes huge statement about future of Geno Smith

Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald insisted shortly after the club's 2024 season ended that he believed at the time that quarterback Geno Smith was "the best [option] for the team right now." 

Recently hired offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak echoed Macdonald while speaking during Tuesday's introductory news conference.

"I have a lot of respect for Geno," Kubiak said, as shared by Michael-Shawn Dugar of The Athletic. "It was a huge draw to come here and be able to get to coach him, alongside (QB coach) Andrew Janocko. We have high expectations for him. [We’ll] push Geno and get the best out of him, and we’ll do that by pushing his teammates as well. It’s not just his show; it’s a team thing, and he’s got to be the head of that."

While Smith signed a three-year contract in March 2023, individuals such as Jeremy Fowler of ESPN have routinely mentioned that the 34-year-old's deal has a $10M roster bonus due on March 16. Some wondered if Seattle could move on from Smith before that date, but Fowler said for a piece published Wednesday that all "signs point to Seattle running it back with" the veteran. 

According to Pro Football Reference, Smith ended this past regular season ranked 24th in the NFL among qualified players with a 53.9 adjusted QBR, 20th with a 93.2 passer rating and sixth with an average of 254.1 passing yards per game. Over 17 contests, he tossed 21 touchdown passes and 15 interceptions. 

Per Michael Baca of the NFL's website, Smith is responsible for the league's most fourth-quarter comebacks (seven) and game-winning drives (eight) since 2023. Kubiak noted on Tuesday that such stats make Smith "a guy I want to coach" from springtime workouts through at least January 2026. 

"I think Geno is tough as nails," Kubiak added during his comments. "You look at the guy in the fourth quarter, he goes and wins football games. That excites me. That fires me up."

Smith earned NFL Comeback Player of the Year Award honors for the 2022 season and is no stranger to having to compete for his job with the Seahawks. He could receive an extension at some point during the spring or summer months, but he may nevertheless once again find himself entering a prove-it season this coming September.