Smith said Seattle’s defense could give Drake Maye trouble through inexperience, suggesting the Seahawks would deploy a look they haven’t shown in some time that could force one or two negative plays and swing the game.
Beyond the field, Smith weighed in on Bill Belichick’s Hall of Fame snub, calling it a “black spot” on the process and insisting that Belichick should be a first-ballot inductee. He questioned whether the voting method, now under a new framework, may have contributed to the error.
He argued that the Hall of Fame discussion should consider Belichick’s credentials, noting six Super Bowl wins as a head coach, 333 career NFL victories (second only to Don Shula), and two additional championship wins as a coordinator—amounting to eight total Super Bowl rings.
Smith acknowledged that Belichick’s long tenure naturally comes with controversy, but maintained that his achievements solidify him as arguably the greatest NFL head coach of all time, regardless of detractors’ views.
The conversation also touched on the broader debate over Hall of Fame voting reforms prompted by the controversy, a point Smith said deserves attention given the negative publicity for the Hall and the NFL. The interview highlights Smith’s nuanced views on both the upcoming game and Belichick’s enduring legacy.
