Seahawks Expected To Work Out New Geno Smith Deal?

Geno Smith‘s efforts to hammer out a new Seahawks contract during the summer were unsuccessful. Uncertainty has loomed since then regarding Seattle’s quarterback outlook for 2025 and beyond.

The former Comeback Player of the Year has one year remaining on his contract, but none of his $14.8MM base salary is guaranteed. Smith is set to collect a $16MM roster bonus next month, and with a scheduled cap hit of $44.5MM a decision will need to be made before then regarding the Seahawks’ willingness to keep him in the fold. Head coach Mike Macdonald hopes a new agreement will be reached, and signs continue to point in that direction.

Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero of NFL Network write the Seahawks are likely to “address” Smith’s contract in the near future. A restructure could help lower his 2025 cap hit, but only if void years were to be added to the pact. An extension would be a more suitable route for team and player to take, and Smith is eyeing a new commitment from Seattle. The team is, on the other hand, expected to explore the market before granting the 34-year-old’s desire for another deal.

Sam Darnold headlines the list of pending free agents at the QB spot, but the Seahawks are not in a position with respect to cap space to win a bidding war for his services. Other veteran options include the likes of Russell Wilson, Justin Fields and (in the event the Falcons trade or release him) Kirk Cousins. Without an obvious successor in place – offseason trade acquisition Sam Howell played just 25 snaps in his debut Seattle campaign and did not demonstrate an ability to serve as a long-term solution with his Commanders play in 2023 – keeping Smith in the fold is a reasonable path for the Seahawks to take.

The former Jet, Giant and Charger has been in Seattle since 2020, having taken over from Russell Wilson as the team’s QB1 for the past three years. A long-term pact moving Smith near the top of the quarterback market (which includes nine passers averaging at least $51MM per year) would be a surprise, but a new short-term commitment would allow for continuity under center. Smith inked a three-year, $75MM contract in 2023; new figures could soon be in play allowing him to remain in place for the time being.

The West Virginia product has named playing to age 40 as a goal, so his career is set to continue for the foreseeable future. It appears that will consist of an extended tenure in the Emerald City, but the Seahawks will likely need to work out a new deal relatively soon if that is to be the case.