Leadership Issues Behind Seahawks’ Shift from Geno Smith to Sam Darnold

If you recall, shortly before Geno Smith was traded to the Raiders, we discussed on this blog the not-so-amazing relationship between the quarterback and DK Metcalf. As it turns out, both moved on. It has since emerged that Metcalf himself might’ve been angling for a move for a decent amount of time.

However, the Smith trade created shock-waves across social media. Some prominent Seahawks voices virtually carried a tone of grief. Why have they done this? Was it just about money? Age? A lack of appreciation for Smith, who was beloved by certain sections of the internet?

Well, the peerless Brady Henderson has shed a bit more light on the decision over the last few days. Speaking on Seattle Sports, this is what he had to say:

“When you talk about Sam Darnold versus Geno Smith, I think if you were to say to that coaching staff, that scouting staff… and get them in an honest conversation, I think they would tell you that Sam Darnold’s a really good quarterback, though he’s not quite as talented as Geno Smith.

“I think they would tell you that Geno Smith is a more talented thrower of the ball and that the reasons they thought he (Darnold) was the better option for them went beyond that. It was about, he is younger, he was going to be a little bit cheaper and I think they would tell you that they think he’s going to be a better leader than Geno Smith was. I wouldn’t discount the degree to which that was a factor in their decision to pivot away from Geno Smith and go to Sam Darnold — the leadership stuff.

 

“I know people will cringe hearing that but I really think that was a factor here, that some of the challenges with Geno were his temperament and the way that he carried himself and the way that he interacted with team mates and I think that they will tell you that, nobody knows how it’s going to go on the field but I think the people who are in the building who know Sam Darnold have vouched for the idea that this guy’s a good leader, he’s going to relate to his team-mates, he’s going to handle adversity well.”

I’m pretty sure this isn’t going to change anyone’s view on the whole Smith/Darnold debate. Everyone’s position is more or less entrenched at this point and, I’m afraid to say, it’s a topic that will likely return to the online discourse any time either player does something of note on the field in 2025, good or bad.

However, I do think it’s something worth noting. The quarterback position is unlike any other role in professional sport. You’re more or less a Head Coach on the field and a CEO off it. You need to be both relatable to team-mates, respected, yet be able to hold people to account and manage the difficult moments.

Every player does this differently. Joe Burrow is different to Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen is different to Jalen Hurts. Some players have so much talent that you are able to overcome any perceived leadership weaknesses. You could argue that Russell Wilson, who clearly wasn’t the most beloved team-mate in Seattle, fits that category. For a period he was one of the very best players in the league so it was a moot point.

Smith was not one of the best players in the league. He was a player approaching his 35th birthday this year, with one statistically brilliant season in his career (2022). His final two years in Seattle were a mixed bag. He virtually won games on his own at times and he also helped lose games with some mind-boggling decisions. Smith wasn’t helped by poor offensive play-callers and a shoddy offensive line but there wasn’t enough evidence to think — you reward this player with a long-term, handsome extension and hope that everything works out if you improve those aspects of the offense.

You’re less likely to take that chance if the feeling within the staff and the front office is that he lacked the leadership qualities you want for the position.

I don’t think a Darnold vs Smith comparison throughout 2025 is worth anyone’s time. I don’t see it as preferring Darnold over Smith. I look at it this way. The Seahawks didn’t want to commit to Geno unless it was on their terms, with an ‘out’ for the team. The minute it became clear that wasn’t viable, they were right to move on. They had to pivot to someone and it just so happens to be Darnold. The truth is the Seahawks are now in search mode. They’re still looking for ‘the guy’. But they were anyway, even with Smith under contract.

They’ve taken a very low-risk, calculated gamble on Darnold with no long-term commitment. He had a productive 2024 season in Minnesota and they’ll see if he can replicate that, or even produce 75% of that season to justify the cost. They appreciate his personality and leadership qualities. If it doesn’t work it’ll be a ‘who’s next?’ type of situation. It’s not ideal but when you don’t have a legit long-term franchise quarterback, those are the cards you have to play.

Smith wasn’t a legit long-term franchise quarterback, irrespective of what some people on the internet thought. He was a skilled passer capable of producing moments of magic. At times, he did carry the team in games. He has excellent physical tools and is among the most impressive athletes at his position in the NFL.

He’s also 35 this year, he can be erratic and by all accounts Henderson is relaying a reality that he wasn’t the best leader. Moving on from that and trying to find a better fit for the culture of your team feels like a reasonable move. Especially when you factor in the cost saving and the return of a third round pick which was used on Jalen Milroe, who they’ll try to develop into a potential long-term solution.

Darnold isn’t likely to produce as many ‘wow’ throws this year. Nor is he likely to have a game where he’s the pre-eminent factor in the win. He’s probably going to be more of a facilitator with more focus than ever on the running game, passing off the running game and clear scheming. Yet for the last two seasons Smith has produced 20 and 21 touchdowns respectively, with 24 total interceptions and a passer rating in the 92/93 range. It’s not going to be the greatest challenge ever for Darnold to at least match that output to help the Seahawks stay on course.

In fact, he could easily better those numbers in a more structured, efficient and functioning offense. Smith would’ve probably bettered his numbers too. But perhaps Darnold’s greatest X-factor could be in the locker-room and how he leads the group? That might’ve been as a big a factor as any in Seattle’s decision to make a change at quarterback this year.