The Seahawks’ QB situation faces plenty of uncertainty entering the 2024 league year. Geno Smith is set to pass an important checkpoint on the way to retaining his starter’s role, however. 
Smith was informed by the team on Thursday that he will remain on the roster through February 16, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports. That is important because Smith’s $12.7MM base salary will shift from an injury guarantee to being guaranteed in full tomorrow. As a result, today’s news greatens the chances of the 2022 Comeback Player of the Year staying in Seattle.
However, Smith also has a $9.6MM roster bonus which will not vest until March 18. The decision to retain Smith for the time being could therefore open up a window to explore a trade with an interested team before the new league year begins. As Schefter’s colleague Brady Henderson notes, Smith’s deal includes offset language which could allow the team to release him before March 18 if no trade partner is found. The 33-year-old’s future is thus still far from certain.
Smith enjoyed a career year in 2022, proving to be a bargain for Seattle and helping the tam reach the postseason. He parlayed that success into a three-year, $75MM deal which includes incentives and performance escalators. With $27.3MM guaranteed at signing, 2023 was still seen as a ‘prove-it’ season for him. Smith’s totals regressed, leading to speculation Seattle could move on from him and transition to Drew Lock under center. The latter has drawn praise from general manager John Schneider, who following the end of Pete Carroll‘s coaching tenure now has full say in roster decisions.
As Henderson notes, part of Schneider’s desire to trade Russell Wilson to the Broncos was the fact the Seahawks could acquire Lock as part of the return package. Lock is a pending UFA, however, and his play while filling in for an injured Smith during the season could help his chances of landing a more lucrative deal than the one-year, $4MM pact he played on last year and a starting gig in the process.
Neither Schneider nor new head coach Mike Macdonald have offered a firm endorsement of Smith or Lock. Still, today’s news points toward the former being in Seattle’s plans for the time being as he potentially moves closer to a third straight campaign in the starter’s role. Given his age and Lock’s contract status, though, it would come as little surprise if the Seahawks invested in a rookie passer this spring. The team currently holds three of the draft’s first 81 selections, including No. 16.
Well – count the Seahawks out next year !
Geno’s ceiling is at best making the wild card.
If that’s it- what’s the point ? Does anyone on earth think Geno will lead a team in the playoffs past Purdy, Mahomes, Hurts , Burrow, Allen and more.
Jordon Love made it to the divisional round. Based on that, anyone could make it, even Smith or Lock.
Love is better than Geno has ever been
Geno lead the league in QBR the last six weeks of the season and set an NFL record for TDs in the fourth quarter and OT this season. Love was not better than Geno for at least the last six weeks of the NFL season.
First off the stat is go-ahead td passes. And it was only 7. One could argue his play for 3 quarters put him in those spots.
And to quote the same source you used:
“But his numbers dipped across the board this past season, including 10 fewer touchdown passes (he also threw two fewer interceptions).”
Were the packers 30th in team defense? No, that was Seattle. Maybe that was why he had to throw so many go ahead TDs. Only 7 is an NFL record.
And Jordan Love is better. His game versus SF in the playoffs is better than any of Genos 0-5 performances the last two years.
Ask all 32 GMs if they would rather have Geno or Jordan as their starting quarterback. All 32 would say Jordan.
Love is better than Geno. No film. Not a GM, or educated analyst, or expert ranking today will show otherwise.
Just stats will show that Geno has been a better QB over the past season. Not film or educated analyst or exper ranking. If you ignore the numbers put up by each QB, then Love is better.
Love had more yards, TDs, a higher rating and a higher QBR. GB won a playoff game and made the divisional round. But Yes Geno had a much better season.
At #16, there are a couple QBs from schools in the Pacific Northwest who could be available – Michael Penix, Jr. and Bo Nix. They could keep Geno for the season and let one of those two develop behind him. Penix is a bit older so one year as a backup should be enough.
Nix is even older than Penix so that same logic should apply to him. Penix will likely still be available for their 2nd pick as well so no need to use no 16.
I don’t know if he can still be there in third round.
Seahawk’s don’t have a second rd pick. However, I think the #16 pick is likely to be traded with some team wanting to move up. With a later pick or top #2 pick, I agree that picking QB to develop behind Geno this season makes sense. If not, using #16 for a top OL makes the most sense.
I think they would be wiser to spend a 3rd or 4th round pick on Pratt.
If they don’t address OL and the losses Geno or a rookie is not going to survive.
Trade piece I hope.
Maybe to the Steelers for a 6th rounder.
“Smith’s totals regressed”
Please tell me, Seattle, you had to see that coming.
Both starting tackles out at the beginning of the year, lead the NFL in QBR last month and a half with healthy tackles. You had to see that coming.
2022 was the anomaly. Cant see that?
Falcons need to make a phone call. They need a competent game manager for all of that talent they have on offense.
all the last two years, the media told us how exceptional Geno is. now he’s an afterthought? you mean the guy who sucked his entire career except for one year isn’t a future hall of famer??
Some of these Geno lovers view his comeback story as their own. It’s weird.
So what alternatives do they have? The QB free agent pool is pretty shallow and it would cost a fortune to move up in the draft from where they sit (#16). I suspect they will take a flyer on someone like Bo Nix and let him sit and watch/learn in 2024.