We heard recently that the Seahawks and quarterback Geno Smith have started contract talks. While general manager John Schneider indicated that negotiations haven’t gotten serious, he did express optimism that the organization would ultimately re-sign the QB. During an appearance on “The Ian Furness Show” on Sports Radio 93.3 KJR, Schneider said the team expects to agree to a new deal with Smith (via Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times).
“I met with Geno on his exit interview, and we had a great talk,” the GM said. “He knows what the process is going to be. We’d love to have him back. He knows that. Like you said, he’d love to be back here as well.
“In terms of getting it done, it’s a process. Hope to get started here pretty quick. We have a little time here to kind of evaluate our team and get settled in. … We’ll get to it as soon as we can and try to do what’s best for Geno and try to do what’s best for the organization.”
Smith played out the 2022 season on a one-year, $3.5MM contract; incentives allowed him to double his earnings for the year. He will significantly outpace that figure on a new contract following a breakout campaign that saw him earn first career Pro Bowl nod.
More notes out of Seattle:
- Smith isn’t the only Seahawks quarterback that’s set to hit free agency, as Drew Lock‘s contract will also expire. While the trade acquisition had to settle in as a backup during his first season with the organization, Schneider said the front office is still interested in bringing him back. “Yeah we’d love to,” Schnieder said during his radio appearance (via Condotta). “We think that’d be the ideal situation.”
- The Seahawks recently signed kicker Jason Myers to a contract extension, and ESPN’s Brady Henderson passed along some details on the new pact (via Twitter). The four-year, $21.1MM deal includes a $7.5MM signing bonus and can max out at $22.6MM. The veteran will earn a fully guaranteed $1.165MM base salary in 2023, an injury-guaranteed $3.635MM in 2024 (becomes full guarantee on fifth day of 2024 league year), and non-guaranteed base salaries of $4.2MM in 2025 and $4.6MM in 2026.
- Henderson tweeted out some helpful insight in anticipation of the Seahawks’ offseason. While many publications show that Seattle owns nine draft picks in the upcoming draft, Henderson notes that the organization actually has 10 selections. The confusion stems from last year’s John Reid trade, with the reporter noting that the Seahawks ultimately didn’t have to give up a seventh-round pick in the deal.
- Three Seahawks players were named as finalists for key Associated Press awards. Smith is a finalist for Associated Press Comeback Player of the Year, while running back Kenneth Walker III and cornerback Tariq Woolen were finalists for AP Offensive and Defensive Rookie of the Year (respectively).
Smith earned a raise but…come on man.
I hope they don’t bog down the payroll by giving him close to elite QB money. He of course does deserve a raise but in the mid tier range and one we can get out of if he turns back into the QB he was. Is he for real or a one year wonder? Time will only tell.
Ummm how about $10 million for 2 years? $20 million total. This guy isn’t going to reproduce next year what he did this year.
Agree that he’s not “elite” and doesn’t deserve top 10 QB money. That said, it’s not going to be 2/20. My guess is it will be a 3-4 year deal to balance out a signing bonus, about $45m guaranteed…therefore really a two year deal.
It’ll be interesting to see what kind of money Geno agrees to amd gets from Seattle.
He’s openly stated multiple times that he wants to resign with them to reward them for believing in him and giving him this opportunity, so that insinuates that he will be open to a relative team friendly deal. Even so, it’ll be interesting to see what a “team friendly” deal even looks like.
While Seattle may not have their “ideal” long term answer at QB, Geno did show he was good enough to get them to the post-season. I mean, he had them going toe to toe with my favorite team, the 49ers, and they’re one of the best teams in the league. What more could you really want if your Seattle, realistically?? That is especially if he’s able to be resigned for a pretty cheap deal.
Then, with their picks, they can draft a guy like Jalen Carter for their interior pass rush. (Although, as a UGA and 49ers fan, I hope he doesn’t go to Seattle..lol)
Plus, they can start to fill out their roster with more quality depth.
Which, I feel like, it was their lack of quality depth that was their ultimate downfall this past season. Once they restock with some young and hungry players, add a key free agent here and there, and they’ll be as set up as any other franchise in the league…
The future is extremely bright for Seattle, even though I might Haye to admit it out loud..lol
Sure, to most of that! The question I have is what really is the market for Smith outside of Seattle. If Washington or another club is willing to pay 30-35 million for him, then he is gone. I don’t think that he will look nearly as good in a new system, as opposed to how he looked after spending 4 years in Seattle. Any deal with Seattle is going to have to be reasonable. I think what was proven this year more than Geno Smith is an elite NFL QB that deserves elite QB money, is that Seattle can win games and compete with an undersized 4th round QB, or a cast off career back-up because we have an elite Coach and GM.
Geno quietly threw for the most yards, in a season, in Seahawks history, while setting a team record for completion percentage.
He is a good QB
Most yards in a season but remember this is the 1st season with 17 games.