The Seattle Seahawks were expected to struggle when they traded away nine-time Pro Bowl quarterback Russell Wilson and named veteran Geno Smith as their starter. Smith, who became an opening day starter for the first time since 2014, had been written off by the national media. The only problem, he would later say, was that he didn't write back.

Once the Seattle Seahawks traded quarterback Geno Smith, Sam Darnold saw his opening. The Seahawks introduced Darnold on Thursday after he signed a three-year deal he agreed to earlier in the week.