Geno Smith, the Seahawks’ backup quarterback the past three years, was arrested Monday on suspicion of driving under the influence and then released, according to King County District Court records.
Smith was arrested at 2:10 a.m. and released at 9:27 a.m., documents show.
No other details were immediately available.
Smith, 31, is a free agent, having played the 2021 season on a one-year contract.
“Geno is fully cooperative with the investigation,” said Jon Fox, who is representing Smith, in a statement. “I hope that an open mind can be kept by all as the facts are ascertained.”
Smith took to Twitter Monday night to ask people to hang with him.
“Being arrested brings a taint onto the reputation that is impossible to undo, no matter what really happened,” Smith tweeted. “I’m asking all of you to hold back on judging me the same as you would do for a friend or family member. I’ll have more to say down the road & ask that you (bear) with me.”
Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said he talked with Smith on Monday.
“I checked in with him, and we have to let his people handle all of that,” Carroll said Monday afternoon. “He was in the meeting with us today so I don’t have anything other than that to give to you on that.”
Smith started three games at midseason this year after starter Russell Wilson suffered an injury to his right middle finger.
Smith completed 65 of 95 passes for 702 yards, five touchdowns and one interception. Seattle went 1-2 in Smith’s three starts, losing three-point games to New Orleans and Pittsburgh, the latter in overtime, and beating Jacksonville 31-7.
Smith entered the NFL in 2013 as a second-round draft pick of the Jets out of West Virginia and was a starter for two seasons.
Seattle also has Jacob Eason on its roster at quarterback. The former Lake Stevens High School and University of Washington standout was claimed off waivers in October from the Colts. Eason did not play for Seattle this season but has two years remaining on his rookie contract.