Five games into the 2024 season, the Seahawks have done a lot of things well, hence a 3-0 start, but they've also struggled at times in other areas, hence the back-to-back losses.
The defense has been outstanding at times, but has struggled for stretches in other games. The running game, led by Kenneth Walker III, was explosive in Week 1, then again for a half in Detroit, but has been absent for other games.
And through the ups and downs early this season, arguably the most consistent part of Seattle's game has been the Geno Smith-led passing attack. That's not to say that Smith has been perfect—he'd be the first to tell you he can and should be better—but if the Seahawks have been able to hang their hat on one thing pretty much every Sunday, it has been their ability to move the ball through the air.
"Geno is a big bright spot on our football team right now," Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald said. "He's a galvanizing force. The guy's competing his tail off. Doing a lot of great things. Let's keep it going. We're five games in, we've got a long way to go. But, the good news is we got another game here to make it right and have Geno take the next step in his game. And, we expect him to do so. We're going to be leaning on him."
Through five games, the Seahawks rank a solid seventh in total offense and 11th in scoring, and are doing that despite having the fewest rushing attempts in the league. That formula, though not ideal according to Macdonald and offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb, has worked largely because of how well Smith and the rest of the passing game have function, with Smith leading the NFL in passing yards (1,466), completions (143) and attempts (199). And Smith is still maintained a high level of accuracy at that high volume, completing 71.9 percent of his passes, which is tied for third in the league.
"Geno plays with a lot of confidence in his preparation," Grubb said. "He trusts himself to make the right kind of throws and decisions, and certainly he's earned that as a veteran. He's certainly shown that since I've been here. Myself, I have a ton of confidence in Geno to be able to make all of those decisions and throws and be responsible. And he really has done a great job of taking care of the ball. A couple of the picks that he's had have been tipped interceptions, so a couple of tough-luck throws there. So I think that's a big part of it, just how much he trusts his preparation."
For his part, Smith isn't paying attention to how often he is being asked to throw the ball this season, but rather on making the most of each of those opportunities to help the offense function. Like fans, coaches and just about everyone else, he knows a more balanced attack will be better in the long run, but if a game calls for him to throw 40-plus times, as he has in three of the last four games, then he's up to that challenge.
"I think it's just how the game goes sometimes," Smith said. "I'm not out there sitting there counting all the reps, I'm trying to make the reps count. So, I'm just going out there, doing my job, and putting us in the best position to make plays and to win the game. Obviously, we were in the fourth quarter, we were in pretty much two-minute drill down two scores trying to score a touchdown and then get in field goal range. So, it's going to be more passes than runs. Time is of the essence in that situation. I think that's the reason for it, but obviously we got to continue to fight for that balance that we love."
Smith is not only on pace to set career highs in those passing categories, he's also, just shy of his 34th birthday, rushing the ball more effectively than he has in his 12-year career. After posting the longest run of his career in Week 1 with a 34-yard touchdown, he had a single-game career high last weekend, rushing for 72 yards on four carries. And with 146 yards on 20 rush attempts, Smith is on pace to eclipse his career high of 366 rushing yards set in 2022.
"I want to continue to do that," Smith said of the running element of his game. "I want to continue to take advantage of it if teams are going to play us in man, and they're not going to put a (QB) spy out there. If they're not going to maintain their rush lanes, and I can get out there and get extra yards, then I think that helps our offense. It also puts a little bit more stress on the D coordinators and what they want to do. But yeah, my game is not revolved around that, but I've always had it. I tend to try to pick my spots of when to do it. But, if there's a lane, I'm going to go."
At some point this season—the Seahawks hope it will happen on Thursday—they'll start running the ball more consistently and balance out their offense. That would take some of the burden off of Smith, it would make things easier on an offensive line that has had to pass block a ton in recent weeks, and as any good running game does, it would bring an added level of physicality to the offense. But when the Seahawks do need to turn to the passing game to lead the way, Smith has shown in the first five games of this season that he's more than up to the challenge even when a lot is put on his shoulders.
"He's tough as nails, man. He's a total warrior," Grubb said. "He's a passionate, passionate player. I thought this week, probably more than any week, it would have been very easy for him to let frustration take over his game. I think that's the thing you see from a veteran quarterback is a guy who can still be passionate, be himself, and find a way to get himself back to room temperature to make good decisions and still give us a chance to win at the end of the game. That's one of the things I'm really impressed with Geno, just his ability to reel it back in, motivate the guys on the sideline, bring everybody together and try to orchestrate a winning drive."
The Seahawks and 49ers face off on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024. Kickoff is set for 5:15 p.m. PT. Take a look back through history at the Seahawks' matchups against the 49ers.