History of Geno Smith in Timeline

Eugene Cyril "Geno" Smith III is an American football quarterback currently playing for the Las Vegas Raiders. He was drafted by the New York Jets in 2013 after a successful college career at West Virginia, where he earned All-Big East honors. He started for the Jets for two seasons, but his performance was inconsistent, and he suffered injuries. Subsequently, he served as a backup quarterback for the New York Giants and Los Angeles Chargers.

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Full Timeline

October 10, 1990: Eugene Cyril Smith III Born

On October 10, 1990, Eugene Cyril Smith III, now known as Geno Smith, was born.

Others born on this day/year

2000: Breaking Tom Brady's Orange Bowl Record

In 2012, during West Virginia's 70–33 rout of the Clemson Tigers in the 2012 Orange Bowl, Smith's 401 passing yards broke Tom Brady's Orange Bowl record of 396 that he set in the 2000 Orange Bowl.

2007: WVU Win Over UNLV

In 2007, Smith threw for 220 yards and ran for 19 yards in West Virginia's 49-10 win over UNLV. It was the most points WVU had scored since playing Connecticut in 2007.

2007: Win Over Cincinnati and Big East Offensive Player of the Week

In 2007, Smith tied his record for touchdowns in a game in a 37–10 win over Cincinnati, where he was 15 for 25, throwing for 174 yards, four touchdowns, and an interception. The win came after a two-game losing streak and it was the first time the Mountaineers beat Cincinnati since 2007. Smith won his second Big East Offensive Player of the Week for this performance.

2007: Second-Team All-State and All-County Honors

In 2007, as a junior at Miramar High School, Geno Smith passed for 2,200 yards, 25 touchdowns, and three interceptions, earning him second-team all-state quarterback honors. He was also named second-team all-Broward County as an athlete.

2007: Tying a Big East Record

In 2007, with 372 passing yards against the Cincinnati Bearcats, Smith tied a Big East record with his seventh 300-yard game of the season. He tied the record that was set in 2007 by Brian Brohm of the Louisville Cardinals.

2007: Breaking Brian Brohm's Record

In 2012, during West Virginia's 70–33 rout of the Clemson Tigers in the 2012 Orange Bowl, Smith became the Big East single-season passing leader with 4,379 yards, breaking Brian Brohm's mark that he set in 2007.

2010: First Start as Quarterback

In 2010, Geno Smith had his first start in the season opener against the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers, completing 20 of 27 passes for 216 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception in the 31–0 shutout victory.

2010: Late Season Performance

In 2010, on November 26 against Pittsburgh, Geno Smith threw for 212 yards and three touchdowns in the 35–10 victory. In the next game against Rutgers, he had 352 passing yards and a touchdown in the 35–14 victory. Smith finished the 2010 season with 196 passing yards, a touchdown, and an interception in a 23–7 loss to North Carolina State in the Champs Sports Bowl.

September 24, 2011: Record-Setting Game Against LSU

On September 24, 2011, in a game against the #2 LSU Tigers, Geno Smith set school records for completions (38), attempts (65), and passing yards (463) in the 47–21 loss.

2011: All-Big East Honors

In 2011, Geno Smith received first-team All-Big East honors while playing college football for the West Virginia Mountaineers.

2012: Record-Tying Performance in the 2012 Orange Bowl

During West Virginia's 70-33 victory over the Clemson Tigers in the 2012 Orange Bowl, Geno Smith tied three individual bowl records: most touchdown passes (six), most touchdowns overall (seven), and total points (42).

May 22, 2013: Signs with Roc Nation Sports

On May 22, 2013, Geno Smith signed with Roc Nation Sports, with Kimberley Miale serving as his representative. He had previously fired his agency, Select Sports Group.

July 22, 2013: Signs Four-Year Contract with the Jets

On July 22, 2013, Geno Smith signed a four-year, $5 million contract with approximately $690,000 in workout bonuses with the New York Jets.

August 9, 2013: Professional Debut

On August 9, 2013, Geno Smith made his professional debut in the first preseason game against the Detroit Lions. He completed 6-of-7 passes for 47 yards but left the game due to an ankle injury in the second quarter. X-rays showed no structural damage and Smith returned to practice on August 11.

2013: Drafted by the New York Jets

In 2013, Geno Smith was selected by the New York Jets in the second round of the NFL draft.

October 3, 2014: Fined for Profanity

On October 3, 2014, Geno Smith was fined $12,000 for yelling profanity at fans while walking to the locker room during halftime in Week 4.

2014: Starter for 2014 Season

In 2014, Geno Smith was named the starter to begin the season. He began the season passing for 221 yards, a touchdown, and an interception in the 19–14 season-opening victory over the Raiders. Smith finished the year with a perfect passer rating against the Dolphins.

2014: Career-High Performance and Perfect Passer Rating

In 2014, during the regular-season finale against the Dolphins, Geno Smith led the Jets to a 37–24 road victory, completing 20 of 25 passes for a career-high 358 yards, three touchdowns, no interceptions, and a perfect passer rating. This was his first perfect game, the sixth in Jets history, and the only one of the 2014 season.

July 2015: Marriage to Hayley Eastham

In July 2015, Geno Smith married his college girlfriend, Hayley Eastham.

August 11, 2015: Altercation and Jaw Fracture

On August 11, 2015, Geno Smith was involved in an altercation with defensive end IK Enemkpali in the locker room over an alleged $600 unpaid debt. Smith suffered a fractured jaw after Enemkpali punched him in the face, ruling him out for 6–10 weeks. Enemkpali was released by the Jets shortly thereafter.

2015: Only Appearance in 2015

In 2015, during a Week 8 34–20 road loss to the Raiders, Geno Smith entered the game in relief of Fitzpatrick, who left the game with an injured thumb. Smith completed 27 of 42 passes for 265 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception to go along with two carries for 34 yards. This was his only appearance in 2015.

October 26, 2016: Placed on Injured Reserve

On October 26, 2016, Geno Smith was placed on injured reserve after tearing his ACL, prematurely ending his 2016 season.

2016: Surpassing Wilson's Record

During a must-win game during the regular-season finale against the Rams in 2022, Geno Smith became the Seahawks’ single-season passing leader, surpassing Russell Wilson's mark of 4,219 yards set back in 2016.

2016: Released by the New York Jets

In 2016, Geno Smith was released by the New York Jets after inconsistent play and injuries led to him being benched.

March 28, 2017: Signs with the New York Giants

On March 28, 2017, Geno Smith signed with the New York Giants.

2017: First Touchdown Since 2017

In Week 5 of the 2021 season, Geno Smith made his first appearance and threw a touchdown (which was his first since 2017) in the 26–17 home loss against the Rams after Russell Wilson left the game with a finger injury.

April 1, 2018: Signs with the Los Angeles Chargers

On April 1, 2018, Geno Smith signed a one-year contract with the Los Angeles Chargers.

2018: Chargers Debut and Relief Roles

In 2018, during a Week 6 38–14 road victory over the Cleveland Browns, Geno Smith made his Chargers debut, completing one pass for eight yards. Overall, Smith appeared in five games during the 2018 season in relief roles.

May 15, 2019: Signs with the Seattle Seahawks

On May 15, 2019, Geno Smith signed with the Seattle Seahawks.

July 17, 2019: Birth of Son, Seven Santana Smith

On July 17, 2019, Geno Smith's son, Seven Santana Smith, was born, named in honor of his jersey number.

August 31, 2019: Released and Re-signed by Seahawks

On August 31, 2019, Geno Smith was released by the Seattle Seahawks, but was re-signed the next day, earning the backup job.

2019: Joins the Seattle Seahawks

In 2019, Geno Smith joined the Seattle Seahawks as a backup quarterback.

May 20, 2020: Re-signs with the Seahawks

On May 20, 2020, Geno Smith re-signed with the Seattle Seahawks.

April 22, 2021: Re-signs with the Seahawks for a Third Season

On April 22, 2021, Geno Smith re-signed with the Seattle Seahawks for a third season.

2021: Season Stats

Geno Smith finished the 2021 season with 702 passing yards, five touchdowns, and an interception to go along with nine carries for 42 yards and a touchdown in four games and three starts.

April 19, 2022: Re-Signing with Seahawks Disapproved

On April 19, 2022, Geno Smith re-signed with the Seattle Seahawks, but the NFL disapproved his new contract that same day after conducting the league's mandatory review; the issue was eventually resolved.

December 21, 2022: Selected to First Pro Bowl

On December 21, 2022, Geno Smith was selected to his first Pro Bowl.

2022: Breakout Season and Comeback Player of the Year Award

In 2022, Geno Smith had a breakout season as the Seattle Seahawks' starter, leading the team to the playoffs and achieving the highest completion percentage in the league. He was named Comeback Player of the Year and earned Pro Bowl honors.

2022: 2024 Season Records

In 2024, Geno Smith broke his own Seahawks single-season passing yards record from 2022 with 4,283 yards.

March 14, 2023: Seahawks Re-Signing

On March 14, 2023, Geno Smith re-signed with the Seahawks on a three-year, $75 million deal.

2023: NFL Top 100 Players of 2023 Ranking

In 2023, Geno Smith's fellow players ranked him 77th on the NFL Top 100 Players list.

2023: 2023 Season Statistics and Pro Bowl Selection

In the 2023 season, Geno Smith achieved 3,624 passing yards, 20 touchdowns, nine interceptions, 155 rushing yards, and one rushing touchdown. He also set an NFL record with seven go-ahead touchdown passes in the fourth quarter and overtime and was named to the Pro Bowl for the second consecutive season.

2023: Adoption of a Pescatarian Diet

Prior to the 2023 NFL season, Geno Smith adopted a pescatarian diet, abstaining from chicken or beef for most of the year.

2024: 2024 Season Records

In 2024, Geno Smith broke his own Seahawks single-season passing yards record with 4,283 yards. He also broke franchise records for single-season passing attempts and completions, with 573 and 400, respectively. Smith also earned $6 million worth of incentives.

March 13, 2025: Trade to the Las Vegas Raiders and Contract Extension

On March 13, 2025, Geno Smith was traded to the Las Vegas Raiders for the 92nd overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft. On April 3, Smith agreed to a two-year, $75 million contract extension with the Raiders.