Former QB explains why Seahawks could move on from Geno Smith

Retired quarterback and current Seattle 710 AM personality Brock Huard suggested that Seattle Seahawks starting signal-caller Geno Smith hasn't yet done enough this season to guarantee a roster spot with the club beyond Week 18. 

"I don't think there's a step forward from a season ago," Huard said about Smith during a chat with Brady Henderson of ESPN. "... The season has not ended. There's still big football ahead. But 11 games in, I don't think anybody in that building and even those on the outside would say, yes, this is a significant -- or even a -- step forward from a year ago."

While Smith is dealing with a triceps contusion he suffered during a one-point loss to the Los Angeles Rams on Nov. 19, the numbers indicate Huard's evaluation is correct. ESPN stats show that the reigning Comeback Player of the Year enters Thursday night's game between 6-5 Seattle and the 8-3 Dallas Cowboys ranked 20th in the league among qualified players with a 50.1 adjusted QBR and 19th with an 88.2 passer rating on the campaign. Smith tossed 12 touchdown passes and eight interceptions over Seattle's first 11 games. 

Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio mentioned on March 7 that the Seahawks can, financially speaking, "potentially move on" from the three-year contract Smith signed last offseason as soon as this winter. Some experts are predicting Seattle would use a first-round pick to select a quarterback if the draft started today. 

"He was anticipatory and accurate in a way last year that was one of the most pleasant surprises in football, and why he was the Comeback Player of the Year," Huard added about Smith. "I thought those two areas, anticipation and accuracy, were just off the charts for as long as he had not been a starter. And this year both of those are just a step in the wrong direction."

In Smith's defense, the Seahawks would be a playoff team if the postseason tournament began ahead of Thursday's prime-time clash at Dallas' AT&T Stadium. However, Seattle then plays at the San Francisco 49ers (8-3) on Dec. 10 before the Seahawks host the Philadelphia Eagles (10-1) on Dec. 17. 

In short, how Smith performs over his next three outings could ultimately determine whether or not the 33-year-old is with Seattle when training camp practices begin next summer.