Fans Demand Change as Seahawks Fall 36-24 to 49ers, Geno Smith’s Struggles Continue
The Seattle Seahawks’ early season momentum has ground to a halt, as they suffer their third straight loss, falling to the San Francisco 49ers 36-24. Fans are now questioning whether quarterback Geno Smith should continue as the team’s starter.
A Rough Night for Geno Smith
Geno Smith’s performance against the 49ers left much to be desired. Completing 30 of 52 passes for 312 yards, Smith threw one touchdown and two costly interceptions, while contributing nothing on the ground. His decisions under pressure raised concerns among fans, who saw the game slip away early when the Seahawks trailed 23-3. Despite a brief rally to close the gap to 23-17, the 49ers responded with authority, shutting down Seattle’s hopes of a comeback.
The Seahawks’ inability to sustain their offense has been a major factor in their current three-game skid. Smith’s reliance on the passing game, with over 50 attempts, reflects a growing imbalance in the offense, which only rushed the ball 20 times. This one-dimensional approach made it difficult for the team to control the tempo, especially with a defense struggling to hold off opponents.
Fans React to Smith’s Performance
The frustration among Seattle’s fanbase has reached a boiling point, with many taking to social media to voice their concerns about Smith’s future. Some called for backup quarterback Sam Howell to take over the reins:
“Geno gotta go,” one fan posted bluntly, while another added, “Biggest takeaway? The season is over. Let’s put in Howell and see what we have. Maybe he’s good, probably not, but at least we’ll know if we need a QB in the draft.”
The repeated mistakes by Smith, particularly his interceptions, led others to question his decision-making. One fan commented, “Geno needs to sort his decision making, those INTs were barely forced, just bad throws.” Another echoed the sentiment, saying, “That pick Geno threw in the 4th was crucial. Like run the damn ball! We had 9 mins left on the clock. Take your time going down the field.”
Defense and Running Game Woes
While Smith has borne the brunt of the criticism, it’s clear that Seattle’s struggles go beyond quarterback play. The Seahawks’ defense has been porous, failing to create turnovers, sacks, or consistent pressure on opposing quarterbacks. The lack of defensive dominance has left the offense, and Smith in particular, scrambling to play catch-up, forcing the team into pass-heavy game scripts.
Head coach Mike Macdonald, however, has shown no sign of benching Smith. Sam Howell, acquired in an offseason trade, remains the backup, and it’s unlikely he will see significant playing time unless the situation worsens. As some fans have pointed out, “Smith is not the problem with Seattle, the defense is.”
Looking Ahead
With the Seahawks now standing at 3-3 after a once-promising 3-0 start, the pressure is mounting on both sides of the ball. The coaching staff will need to make adjustments to stabilize the team’s play and get back to winning ways. Whether that involves leaning more on the running game or tightening up on defense remains to be seen, but time is running out for the Seahawks to reverse course.
As the season progresses, Smith’s performance will continue to be scrutinized, with the calls for change growing louder each week.