Bucs HC Bowles, QB Brady Discuss Resurgence Of Seahawks QB

Yet, here they are.

Seattle is 6-3 and leading the NFC West heading into Sunday’s game against Tampa Bay. A big reason for the team’s success has been the play of Smith, who has completed 73.1% of his passes this season for 2,199 yards and 15 touchdowns to just four interceptions. The former Jets, Giants and Chargers quarterback is playing at a high level, and that doesn’t necessarily come as a surprise to Bucs head coach Todd Bowles, who coached Smith when the two were with the Jets together in 2015 and 2016.

“We knew Geno could always spin the ball,” Bowles said Friday. “Obviously, the experience he’s had over the years has helped him greatly. He was always smart, he was always heady, he was always a hard worker. I’m glad to see it pan [out] for him – I’m happy to see the success he’s having.”

Smith’s journey hasn’t been the smoothest one. His rookie season in 2013 saw him throw 12 touchdowns and 21 interceptions before he threw for 13 and 13 in 2014. A locker room altercation in August 2015 ended with Smith suffering a broken jaw, and Bowles ended up starting Ryan Fitzpatrick that season. In fact, the 2014 season was Smith’s last as a regular starter – until this season in Seattle. After four years with the Jets, he spent one season with the Giants and another with the Chargers before signing with the Seahawks in 2019. After years as a backup, he’s now back to leading an NFL offense at the age of 32.

“It was a long time ago since I’ve had him,” Bowles said. “Obviously, he could always play the game – confidence was never a problem for him. You make a mistake in this league, you come back and you make some plays – he’s done that. He’s been good at it. He’s been a great fit for [the Seahawks].”

Bucs quarterback Tom Brady had high praise for Smith on Friday as well, calling out the decision making he’s seen from the veteran quarterback.

“He’s making great decisions,” Brady said. “He’s passing the football very well; guys that are open, he’s getting the ball to them. He hasn’t had too many turnovers. He has enough athletic ability to extend some plays. I think they’re doing a good job running the ball, throwing the ball. They’ve got DK [Metcalf], Tyler [Lockett] – they’ve got some really talented players.”

History Between Smith-Bucs, Brady-Seahawks

There’s not a ton of history between the Bucs and Seahawks heading into Sunday’s international matchup in Munich. However, both teams have some experience facing off against the other’s quarterback. In fact, Smith’s first NFL start came against the Bucs in the 2013 season opener. In that game, Smith completed 24 of his 38 pass attempts for 256 yards, a touchdown and an interception. He also had six carries for 47 yards, with a key scramble – and a late hit penalty called on fellow rookie Lavonte David – eventually leading to a game-winning field goal for the Jets.