The Seahawks are still in contention for a postseason berth, but their chances of winning the NFC West are slim at this point. Quarterback Geno Smith will need to deliver a pair of strong performances if Seattle is to finish the campaign at 9-8, something which will also be key in determining his candidacy for an extension. 
[RELATED: Smith Aiming For 20-Year NFL Career]
Doing so will require continuing to play through the knee injury he suffered in Week 15. Smith exited that contest with Sam Howell taking over at quarterback, but the veteran managed to play on Sunday without missing time. The issue is lingering, though, and that will remain the case moving forward.
“Nah, it’s not,” Smith confirmed when asked whether the injury is behind him at this point (via Michael-Shawn Dugar of The Athletic). “It’s going to be there for a while. But gotta keep pushing.”
Smith had another uneven performance in the Seahawks’ loss to the Vikings on Sunday, adding to his middle-of-the-road showing on the whole this year. The 34-year-old has thrown 17 touchdowns in 2024, but his 15 interceptions are the second most in the NFL this year. Seattle’s offense has had issues up front, though, and the team’s ground game has left plenty to be desired. As a result, head coach Mike Macdonald has remained complimentary when speaking about Smith over the course of the year.
“He makes it go,” the first-time head coach said about Smith, via Dugar (subscription required). “It’s really simple. We put a lot on his plate, and rightfully so. He’s earned the right to have a lot on his plate operationally.”
Smith has been in Seattle since 2020, and this season is his third in a row operating as the team’s starting quarterback. The former second-rounder impressed during his first campaign atop the depth chart, and it landed him an extension and accompanying raise last spring. One year remains on that deal, but none of Smith’s base salary for 2025 ($14.8MM) is guaranteed and his projected cap hit ($38.5MM) could prove to be cumbersome. The Seahawks will have time to move on before a $10MM roster bonus comes due this March, if the team elects to reset at the position.
Seattle’s 2025 QB outlook has been unclear since the attempts made by Smith’s camp to negotiate a new contract this summer came up short. Indications from earlier this month pointed to a long-term commitment on the part of the Seahawks being unlikely, although that could of course change depending on how the rest of the season plays out. As the team appears set to miss the postseason again, however, it would not come as a surprise if other options at the position were to be explored.
Howell, like Smith, is on the books through 2026 thanks to the term remaining on his rookie contract. The former Commanders draftee could be seen as a backup option moving forward, but replacing Smith with a new starter would be a central offseason objective if the team were to take that route. Given Macdonald’s public stance on the matter, maintaining the status quo through next season could nevertheless be on the table.
Geno and Sam Darnold are proof of how bad the Jets are run! Man, they are awful at handling the QB position.
That would be a great poll. ‘Who is the worse at developing high end QB draft picks?’ Browns, Jets, Jags, Bears…
A lot depends on who is coaching them too. Some of these guys had to un-learn the stuff from their first NFL coach to regain their comfort level and stop over-thinking.
Geno (Oh-No) is not the future QB for the Hawks. This loose cannon, weak-legged, and inconsistent QB is a backup at best. Looks like no playoff this year again since there is no way the Seahawks can beat the Rams in LA.
I would agree not long term but not many options right now. Going to have a first round pick around 15. Not a great qb year also. Not many free agent options either. Might be best focus on line and look at draft next year or other options.
Seahawks could be eliminated this weekend even if they win at Chicago. A Rams win vs. Arizona, combined with 6 other results going in the Rams’ favor, would give LAR the NFC West on a “strength of victory” tie-breaker.
The Seahawks will not make the playoffs if Geno has a $38M cap hit. A team can succeed with Geno, but he has to make around $15M in order to buy the supporting assets he needs. No wiggle room on this.
Get Darnold or cousins I guess
I think father time has caught up to Cousins
Lol
I read Geno is an elite throwing arm with trouble reading D and who to throw the ball to. That is why he throws to the wrong colors in the red zone. Besides that my major complaint with him is his demeanor. He acted like a baby during the Buffalo game. He got into a shoving match with a lineman. He yelled at players. Threw tablets sat and pouted on the bench. No way for a QB to act. His attitude which I had problems with early on plus his inconsistency passing says he is not the guy to be the starter for Seattle. Another team can have him and hopefully we can draft one. Just don’t want to fall into the trap of paying him top dollar. He wants $33 mill. That is too much and if a team pays him that hope it is not us.