Seahawks QB Geno Smith – Media Availability – October 7, 2021

QB GENO SMITH

Who told you that you were going into the game?

GENO SMITH: It was a few people. (Russell Wilson), Coach Carroll, and Shane (Waldron) came up to me and said, ‘can you go?’ Told me to get out there.

How did you feel when you heard that?

GENO SMITH: I felt ready. Been preparing. One thing about me is I always prepare like I’m going to play. You never know what can happen. I’ve been around long enough to know that.

So just been preparing, been ready. Studied the heck out of call sheet, so I like to feel like a coach when I’m out there. So when I got my opportunity, really wasn’t too much to it. Just wanted to go out there and try to get a win.

What did it mean to you to be out there hearing the fans chant your name?

GENO SMITH: It would have been a lot better if we got a win, but it meant a lot, the city has embraced me. This team has embraced me, and I’m really grateful for that.

I appreciate all the fans. The atmosphere was just electric tonight. I mean, you could see it out there. Everyone was fired up. I really thought we had a chance. Thought we were going to come back and get it done; unfortunately we didn’t.

But we’ll bounce back and get better.

You talked about always staying ready. What’s that like when you’re playing behind one of the most durable quarterbacks in NFL history?

GENO SMITH: I would say I played behind three of the most durable quarterbacks in NFL history with Philip Rivers, Eli Manning, and Russell Wilson. So it’s been a long time coming, but no way am I satisfied with just going out there and playing. It’s about getting wins and it’s about leading the team to victories.

I like to think that I’ll be able to do that.

Geno, that’s the most you’ve played in four years I think. To come off the bench, go 98 yards straight down the field, that had to be a pretty good cherry on top of tonight?

GENO SMITH: You know, honestly I was just thinking score. The guys did a great job. I feel like the line played a great game. Those guys were getting open out there. We were seeing it well. Shane was calling a good game and we were in rhythm. Whenever you’re in rhythm, doesn’t really matter how far you got to go. You just keep rolling.

I felt pretty good out there. Felt like we had a solid chance and we just fell a little short.

What was Russ like on the sideline?

GENO SMITH: Man, Russ, I can’t say enough good things about Russell Wilson. He’s a great, great competitor. Guy didn’t want to come out of the game, and that says a lot about this man. He’s tough as nails. When I was out there, he was supportive, as supportive as I am for him. I think that speaks volumes about his character and who he is.

Sucks for him to get hurt, but really appreciate him.

You said you stay ready week in and week out, but it’s been a long time since you’ve been called upon to play. What keeps you motivated to prepare the same way week in and week out?

GENO SMITH: My motivation comes from a bunch of factors: My family, obviously my son, and obviously just the love for the game, just respecting the game.

I’ve been playing this game long enough to know just when you think it’s not going to happen is when it does, so just preparing every single time. It is gut wrenching sometimes. Sometimes I fight back tears before the games, like man, I wish I could be out there. Reality is you got to prepare and you got to keep preparing. That is something that I pride myself on is being prepared and always being ready. And that’s mentally, physically, and anything else.

Did Russell Wilson say anything to you either before you went on or after that first touchdown drive?

GENO SMITH: You know, not much needs to be said. Russ knows me. He sees me every day in practice and knows what I can do, and so do the other guys. It’s not a surprise to anyone.

More so, like I said, we’re just trying to get wins, and today we fell short.

What do you want to show to the NFL if you do get a chance to start next Sunday in Pittsburgh?

GENO SMITH: Just want to win. That’s all that is important. Just want to win.

Any feel for whether you’re going to get to start?

GENO SMITH: We’ll see. We’ll see. I’ll be ready.