The Seattle Seahawks got a record-setting season from Geno Smith in 2024.
A QB in the Pacific Northwest had never completed more than the 70.4% of passes that Smith did a season ago.
And they still sent him away.
This offseason, the Seahawks mixed it up. They traded Smith to the Las Vegas Raiders, then signed Sam Darnold to a nine-figure free agent contract.
The move made sense, but it was also a risk.
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Here's why it happened:
Why did the Seahawks get rid of Geno Smith for Sam Darnold?
A big factor in the QB swap was age.
Smith is 34 years old, and Darnold is 27.
And if you think Smith had a good 2024, Darnold's was better.
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According to ESPN's QBR, Darnold was seven spots ahead of Smith in 2024, with a value of 60.4 to 53.8.
"Smith is 34 years old and has been up and down the past two seasons, ranking 21st in QBR in that span," ESPN's Brady Henderson wrote after the moves. "He threw 15 interceptions last season, including a league-high four in the red zone. And while coach Mike Macdonald consistently touted Smith's toughness and work ethic, he also noted the quarterback's room for improvement as a leader."
Darnold was a draft bust before last season. He had gone No. 3 to the Jets, then struggled with the Panthers, too. A revitalizing year as a 49ers backup set him up for success in Minnesota.
Is he a one-year wonder? Seahawks fans sure hope not.
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