Geno Smith | From career reserve to star quarterback

In individual NFL honors, the one for comeback of the year is normally reserved for players who overcome a serious injury and have had a good season. This year’s winner, however, should be the exception to the rule.

Miguel Bujold
The Press

At the age of 32 and seven years after being the starting quarterback of a team for most of a season for the last time, in this case that of the New York Jets, Geno Smith, of the Seahawks of Seattle is one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL this season. His efficiency coefficient (107.2) is third in the league and no regular quarterback has a better completion percentage than him (72.7%). Smith also had just 3 interceptions in 8 games and threw for 13 touchdowns. Nothing spectacular, but more than solid.

Smith was the driving force behind the Seahawks’ 27-13 win over the New York Giants on Sunday in Seattle. A member of the Jets in his first four seasons, including the reserve chair for the last two, Smith spent one season with the Giants in 2017, then another with the Chargers in 2018. He was Russell Wilson’s reserve from 2019 to 2021.

Perhaps we shouldn’t be so surprised by Smith’s excellent campaign. He was one of the most prolific quarterbacks in the NCAA with West Virginia University, which led to him being the 39^e hope selected in 2013.

That said, we all thought that Pete Carroll was exaggerating a bit when he indicated that he had great confidence in Smith and his talent before the start of the season. And to be honest, the Seahawks were slow to name Smith as a starter, as he competed with newcomer Drew Lock to become Wilson’s successor.

Besides, the more time passes, the more it becomes clear that the Seahawks have quickly passed the Broncos in the megatransaction involving Wilson. Two first-round picks, two more second-round picks, Lock and two respectable starters in Noah Fant and Shelby Harris. It is enormous.

And that’s not to mention what the Seahawks will be able to do with the money saved and the flexibility under the salary cap that trade gave them. Smith earns 3.5 million this season… He will be a free agent in March and the Seahawks will of course have to increase his salary significantly if he continues to play as well, but we doubt that he will earn 50 million a year like Wilson…

When alone and out of sight, Carroll and Seahawks general manager Brian Schneider must have a hard time not giggling when they talk about the theft they committed from the Broncos.

Even without Deebo

At the start of the season, the defending champions were the favorites to win the National West, which is normal. But the way it’s shaping up, the Los Angeles Rams (3-4) will struggle to stay in the game with the Seahawks (5-3) and the 49^ers San Francisco (4-4), who defeated them for the eighth straight season on Sunday.

The 49^ers had no trouble beating the Rams, even without Deebo Samuel (thigh). When they are healthy (Samuel, Arik Armstead, Kyle Juszczyk, Azeez Al-Shaair, Javon Kinlaw), the Niners will form the best equipped team in the National Conference to threaten the Philadelphia Eagles. Their defense is one of the best five and their offense will be extremely difficult to contain with players like Samuel, Christian McCaffrey, Brandon Aiyuk and George Kittle.

As for them, not only are the Rams not playing for .500, but their four losses have been by a minimum of 12 points. They just didn’t match the Niners (twice), Buffalo Bills and Dallas Cowboys. Their offense is sorely under-resourced and their defense doesn’t make enough key plays.

Lawrence and Wilson: disturbing

First pick in the 2021 draft, Trevor Lawrence didn’t play well at all in the Jacksonville Jaguars’ 21-17 loss to the Broncos on Sunday in London. He also recognized it after his performance of 18 for 31 for 133 yards, a touchdown pass and two interceptions.

It’s not going any better for the second player selected in last year’s auction. Zach Wilson completed less than 50 percent of his passes (20 for 41) in the Jets’ 22-17 loss to the New England Patriots in New York. He threw for 355 yards and two touchdowns, but was also guilty of three interceptions. Like Lawrence, Wilson admitted his game wasn’t up to par after Sunday’s game. The Jets’ defense is playing well and their running game was productive before being contained on Sunday. But if they want to continue their great season, the Jets (5-3) will absolutely have to get better play from Wilson, who has statistics very similar to those of his rookie season so far.