Seahawks QB Geno Smith Grateful & Thankful For Opportunity To Start Again 

A big reason why Smith won the competition is the job he has done taking care of the ball. Smith has been turnover free in the preseason, taken care of it in training camp as well, and last season in three-plus games in relief of Wilson, he threw only one interception, and that came when Tyler Lockett was tripped up running his route. That consciousness about taking care of the ball is something Smith has had to improve in his career after throwing 21 interceptions as a rookie and 13 the following year.

“The number one way to lose games in the NFL is not protecting the football,” Smith said. “Earlier in my career, I had some issues with that. I learned very quickly that the quarterback’s main job is to protect the football as well as scoring points, being dynamic and all those things. I really think when I came here, that I turned the corner in terms of protection of the football. Coach preaches it every single day. It’s the motto of the team. The organization is all about the ball. When I’m out there, I’m always focused on doing the right things, making the right reads, obviously staying aggressive but being smart.”

Of course, the flip side of Smith winning the job is that Lock was hoping to earn that job with his new team, and instead will head into the season as the backup. Lock understandably wishing things had turned out different, but he has every intention now of helping Smith get ready for the season, and of staying ready should his chance to play arise at some point this season.

“As a competitor, you’re always disappointed, and I was disappointed,” Lock said. “You want to be out there. You want to be playing with those guys. You want to be able to step on the field and show you can do it. Yeah, you’re disappointed but now it’s my job to have his back and be the best teammate I can be. I need to come out every day and find ways to make this team better and make myself better. I have to strive to get better every single day. I know I won’t be taking the reps, but there’s a lot of ways you can get better. I learned a lot about what to do last year in this situation and how to be ready for any chance that I get, and just get better every day.”