Geno Smith’s career renaissance hasn’t just been limited to his impressive play as Seahawks starting quarterback, but he has also stepped into a leadership role with Russell Wilson’s departure. We saw that leadership play out on Sunday in a huge way.
Tyler Lockett — usually as reliable a receiver as there is in the NFL — was having a rough game in the Week 8 matchup with the Giants. He lost a fumble in the red zone, and in the second half, he dropped a sure touchdown on a perfectly thrown pass from Smith.
The drop was an inexcusable and costly mistake, but Smith showed what it meant to be a good teammate as he was seen encouraging the veteran receiver shortly after the drop.
WOOOOW! Tyler Lockett dropped a Geno Smith #DIME…. pic.twitter.com/I5DyyfFalp
— 𝗙𝗢𝗟𝗟𝗢𝗪 @𝗙𝗧𝗕𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗱𝟳 (@FTBeard7) October 30, 2022
Geno Smith is a better leader for this team than Russell Wilson was pic.twitter.com/dtpuchk8HP
— ۟ (@cloudpff) October 30, 2022
Lockett will be the first to admit that he should have caught that ball. After all, it was his first drop of the season. But for Smith to go out of his way to check on his receiver — it shows the confidence he has in his teammates. It paid off too because Smith would connect with Lockett for a touchdown on the Seahawks’ next drive.
Redemption! This time, @GenoSmith3 to @TDLockett12 went exactly as planned.
📺: #NYGvsSEA on FOX
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/E4IpTg1hqp pic.twitter.com/wWz2OSh9Dv— NFL (@NFL) October 30, 2022
Given the response from Seattle, fans loved the entire sequence from Smith.
This was how Twitter reacted
Geno gonna comeback to Lockett in the 4th quarter
pic.twitter.com/7uRK3JEpJS— Zuko Samba (@ZukoSamba) October 30, 2022
You got to love Geno Smith’s leadership. Lockett drops a dime, no bad body language or reaction at all from the QB. Then consoles him and goes back to him in 4th for a TD. https://t.co/mmCgarqzK5
— Elliott Rosales (@elliott_rosales) October 30, 2022
Geno gave Lockett a pep talk after he dropped a pass and then threw him the key touchdown pass which he caught. Cool af
— Former Expert™ (@ChampagneChonny) October 30, 2022
GENO is a leader man, picked up lockett on the sidelines and then guns it down the field
— Fern (@RussGetAChipPls) October 30, 2022
Geno’s faith in Lockett is too real to ignore
— nur (@_Grivvey) October 30, 2022
Geno is a great leader. If Brady throws that pass and Lockett drops it he would be throwing a fit. Geno checks on Lock and let’s him know it’s good. Respect to Geno.
— M@C (@_mac1990) October 30, 2022
Geno is a damn leader, man.
Next possession? Touchdown Lockett. pic.twitter.com/PM2VsDakZi
— luke (@ColdWunz) October 30, 2022
Geno is so good at checking in with players. Lockett, Eskridge. Being the leader. #GoHawks
— Sharon *Protect Voting Rights* (@sharonabraham) October 30, 2022
He didn’t drop that one. And that’s why Geno’s leadership on the sideline letting Lockett know he’ll get the next one is so big.
— Austin Lane (@AustinLane__) October 30, 2022
That’s how it should be done. Tom Brady can take notes.
