Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith knows what it feels like to struggle at the NFL level. And he used the wisdom he has obtained in his ten-year NFL career to give his rookie wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba some words of encouragement during Sunday’s game against the Carolina Panthers.
Geno Smith has one of the more incredible stories of any player in NFL history. After largely being labeled a bust through his first eight NFL seasons, he had an unbelievable year once given another chance at starting with the Seahawks in 2022.
He is now seen as one of the more reliable starters in the NFL. And it also seems like he is an incredible leader with a tremendous locker-room presence in Seattle.
A video was posted on the NFL’s Twitter page showing Smith mic’d up talking to rookie wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba shortly after the Panthers intercepted Smith due to a miscommunication between Smith and Smith-Njigba.
Smith-Njigba was clearly down on himself after the mistake. But Geno Smith offered him some awesome words of encouragement to keep his head up for the remainder of the game.
“Hey I need you,” Smith told Smith Njigba after the interception. “I need you locked in. Look, whatever happened, it’s on me. It ain’t never on you. You gotta get the ball so I got to find you. I need you to give me your best in this second half alright? Let’s go, you’re the best, you’re the best, let’s go.”
Geno Smith is the ultimate leader & hype man 👏 (via @NFLFilms)#InsideTheNFL Tuesdays at 8/7c on @TheCW pic.twitter.com/lYVY7bPBg5
— NFL (@NFL) September 26, 2023
This video is very telling of Smith’s leadership qualities to own up to the mistake and give his talented rookie some much-needed confidence. And fans were very impressed with how far Smith has come in his career.
Geno is the man. He was doing this when everyone forgot about him. Such a class act.
— Christian S. Rauh (@ChristianSRauh) September 26, 2023
He’s the man
— Ponicki (@DPonicki) September 26, 2023
Can’t write Geno off because he doesn’t write back
— TheAVShow (@TheAVShowDaily) September 26, 2023
He’s looking better and better as a QB and leader
— Fact Jack (@ItsFactJack) September 26, 2023
Geno is the most underrated QB in the NFL
— ً (@8forMVP) September 26, 2023
Much better leader than his predecessor
— Respectfully Seb (@SebMeetsWorld) September 26, 2023
While Smith-Njigba didn’t end up having the best game individually, the Seahawks did end up coming away with their second win of the season to move to 2-1 on the year. They will look to keep their positive momentum moving in Week 4 when they take on the New York Giants.
