Dave Canales has been instrumental in assisting Seattle Seahawks QB Geno Smith to grow into one of the most formidable players in the franchise. After the departure of veteran quarterback Russell Wilson from the franchise in 2022, Smith has produced laudable results.

In 2022, the 33-year-old won a Pro Bowl nod and earned laurels for bagging the NFL Comeback Player of the Year. Subsequently, ex-Seahawks coach Canales voiced his opinion on Smith while praising the QB’s pitch and catch. While making a virtual appearance on ‘The Season with Peter Schrager’ podcast, Panthers HC Canales appreciated the Seahawks quarterback.

The 43-year-old recalled his training days with Smith and delivered high praise on the latter’s throw. He also reiterated his stance by addressing the QB’s on-field coverage, which seemingly wasn’t much tended to owing to vet quarterback Russell’s presence in the team back then. “No one throws a prettier ball than Geno Smith. He’s accurate, he’s got the right amount of zip. All those things were there and it was just we had Russell.”

In 2010, Canales kicked off his journey as a wide receiver coach for the Seattle Seahawks. He was personally scouted by Pete Carroll, whom he worked with at USC. Not long after his enrollment in the team, the coach clinched his first-ever Super Bowl trophy when the franchise downed the Denver Broncos in the event’s 2013 edition.

Both Wilson and Smith were once teammates during their 2022 season with the Seahawks. He was initially signed to serve as a backup QB to the franchise’s star, Russell. The 33-year-old QB also displayed a neat show of sportsmanship for the veteran before his imminent exit from the Broncos.

Geno Smith asked for Russell Wilson’s ‘freedom’

During the 2023 season, Wilson’s skeptical performance put the Broncos in a fix. The veteran quarterback was then benched which seemingly looked like an early move from the franchise to part ways with him.

However, after the incident, Smith took to his official X handle to offer a two-word message of support for the 35-year-old which read “FREE 3“. It is worth noting that his tweet referred to Wilson’s jersey number.

Smith made several stops on his way before settling in as a Seahawks QB. He spent the majority of his career as a backup quarterback and notably failed as a starter with the New York Jets. However, after emerging as one of the greatest success stories of the 2022 NFL season and having an impressive 2023 season, Smith is speculated to eye new career highs in the upcoming season of the NFL.