In a season filled with highs and lows, Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith made a statement that quickly reverberated throughout the NFL: “We shouldn’t be here.” Those words came after a thrilling win that kept Seattle’s playoff hopes alive, but Smith’s comments weren’t a celebration of the team’s hard-fought battle to stay in contention. Instead, they revealed his frustration with the Seahawks’ overall performance in 2023.
Despite holding onto a playoff position late in the season, Seattle has struggled to put together a consistent string of wins. Smith’s criticism was a reflection of the fact that, while the Seahawks were on the verge of securing a wildcard spot, they hadn’t been playing at the level they believed they were capable of. The remark has opened up a broader discussion about where the Seahawks stand heading into the playoffs and what the future holds for both Smith and the team.
A Surprising Turn for Geno Smith
In 2022, Geno Smith made headlines by leading the Seahawks to the playoffs and earning a Pro Bowl selection. The veteran quarterback, who had spent years as a journeyman backup, suddenly emerged as one of the most efficient quarterbacks in the NFL. His poise, accuracy, and leadership were key to Seattle’s success. But as the 2023 season unfolded, cracks began to appear in the facade of Smith’s newfound stardom.
While Smith has still shown flashes of brilliance, consistency has been a problem. The Seahawks’ offense has been erratic, struggling at times to find rhythm, and Smith has sometimes seemed out of sync with his wide receivers. After each loss or underwhelming win, the team has had to answer questions about their overall performance, and Smith’s remark underscored his dissatisfaction.
A Frustrating Roller Coaster Season for Seattle
The 2023 season has been a roller coaster for the Seahawks, with victories often followed by disappointing losses. Injuries to key players, such as star running back Kenneth Gainwell and defensive lineman Jarran Reed, have further complicated the team’s efforts to find consistency. Although the team has had some impressive wins, including key divisional matchups, they’ve also dropped games that they should have won on paper.
For Geno Smith, the season has been a far cry from the relative smoothness of 2022. The offense has at times been stagnant, and Smith has struggled with turnovers, including key interceptions that have cost the Seahawks important games. His numbers have dipped compared to the previous year, and fans and analysts alike have questioned whether the quarterback’s 2022 performance was a fluke or if he can recapture his earlier success.
Smith’s blunt assessment of the situation—“We shouldn’t be here”—reflects the internal frustration that many in the Seahawks organization have felt as they stare down the stretch of the season with a playoff berth still in reach. Despite the struggles, Seattle remains on the cusp of a wildcard spot, and that reality is what has likely led to Smith’s candid remarks.
The Playoff Push: Can Seattle Make It?
As the 2023 season heads into its final weeks, the Seahawks are still technically in the hunt for a playoff spot. Their record, while not stellar, is competitive enough in the NFC to keep them in the mix for the postseason. However, the window for error is rapidly closing. With teams like the San Francisco 49ers and the Philadelphia Eagles dominating their respective divisions, the wildcard spots have become fiercely contested.
For the Seahawks, making the playoffs at this point would feel like a major achievement, but it would also represent something of a disappointment given their potential. This has been a team with talent on both sides of the ball—most notably in the form of wide receiver DK Metcalf, rookie running back Zach Charbonnet, and defensive stalwarts like linebacker Bobby Wagner and cornerback Tariq Woolen. Yet, they have underperformed in key moments.
Smith’s frustrations seem to stem from the fact that the Seahawks’ talent has not been consistently harnessed to its full potential. After a standout 2022 campaign, Smith was expected to build on that success. Instead, the team has struggled to execute at the level many expected. Smith’s comment reflects an awareness that, while Seattle has managed to stay afloat, they have not reached the standard they set for themselves.
The Quarterback Question: What Does the Future Hold for Geno Smith?
While Smith’s comment may have seemed like a shot at the team’s overall performance, it also raises the question of his own future with the Seahawks. Heading into 2024, Smith will be 34 years old, and while his revival story has been inspiring, Seattle’s front office may soon face a difficult decision. Will Geno Smith be the long-term solution under center for the Seahawks, or is the team looking for a new face of the franchise?
The NFL is full of teams trying to figure out the quarterback position, and with several talented quarterbacks entering the draft in 2024, the Seahawks could have an opportunity to draft a future star. Whether Seattle opts to go that route will depend largely on how Smith performs over the final weeks of the season. If he can lead the Seahawks to a deep playoff run, it will likely solidify his position as the starter for years to come. But if Seattle falters, the team might be forced to consider a change at the quarterback position.
Smith himself has not expressed any desire to leave or retire, but his comments may hint at a sense of urgency. After all, he knows better than anyone how quickly things can change in the NFL. Given his age and the reality of the league’s constant pursuit of better options at quarterback, Smith’s future in Seattle could be up for debate.
What Does Geno Smith Want from His Team?
Beyond his frustration with the season’s ups and downs, Smith’s remarks also point to something deeper: a hunger for more. Smith has been through enough struggles in his career to know how fleeting success can be. After years of being doubted and relegated to backup roles, he finally had his chance in 2022 and proved that he could be a capable NFL starter. But now, with the Seahawks on the edge of playoff contention, Smith wants more than just a wildcard berth. He wants to lead this team to greater heights and prove that he can be a championship-caliber quarterback.
For the Seahawks, Smith’s leadership and perspective could be invaluable in the postseason. His ability to stay calm under pressure, especially after years of playing behind other quarterbacks, has earned him respect in the locker room. But for Seattle to truly maximize its potential, the offense needs to find more consistency, and Smith will need to elevate his game once again.
Conclusion: A Crossroads for the Seahawks
Geno Smith’s “We shouldn’t be here” comment may have been a candid, and at times self-reflective, critique of the team’s performance, but it also highlights the crossroads the Seattle Seahawks are at heading into the final weeks of the 2023 season. They have the talent and potential to be a serious playoff contender, but their inconsistent play has held them back.
As the playoffs loom, the future of both Geno Smith and the Seattle Seahawks will hinge on their ability to rise to the occasion. If the team can rally together and perform at their highest level, they could make a deep run—and Smith may solidify his place as Seattle’s future quarterback. However, if the struggles continue, tough decisions will need to be made as the franchise looks to reestablish itself as a perennial contender.
In any case, Geno Smith’s frustration has lit a fire under a team that knows they are capable of much more, and now the challenge is to prove it on the field.
