Contract talks between Geno Smith and the Seahawks have begun, and the quarterback is optimistic that the two sides will ultimately reach a deal. During an appearance on SiriusXM NFL Radio yesterday, Smith said the chances of an extension are “looking very good.”
“We’ve had talks and we’re in the process of getting all that settled right now,” Smith said (via ESPN’s Brady Henderson). “It’s looking very good. We think we can get some things done, but obviously those things take time. This is the process that I hate about the NFL because I just want to play football, but it’s a business as well, so we’ve got to take care of business and then we’ll get back to the football.”
Both sides have expressed optimism that they’d ultimately agree to an extension. As Henderson points out, head coach Pete Carroll has continually expressed his interest in bringing back Smith, but the head coach hasn’t gone as far as to declare it would happen…a factor that’s somewhat relevant when you consider that the Seahawks could always slap the impending free agent QB with the franchise tag.
Smith ended up making about $7MM this past season thanks to incentives. During a separate appearance on the The Pivot Podcast, the quarterback wouldn’t reveal what he’s specifically looking for in a new contract, just noting that he wants to be paid what he’s worth.
“I love Seattle,” Smith said. “We have a great relationship and I think we’ll work things out. When it comes to contracts, I think every player just wants to get paid his worth. And it’s funny because a great friend of mine tells me, no matter what check they write, it’ll never be your worth because your worth isn’t in money, it isn’t in monetary things. So you just want to be respected. Your contract just wants to say, we respect you, we understand what you bring to the table, we understand what caliber of player you are, and we appreciate you. That’s really all it comes down to.”
Smith had a breakout campaign during his age-32 season, resulting in his first career Pro Bowl nod. He helped guide the Seahawks to a 9-8 record while completing a league-leading 69.8 percent of his passes for 4,282 yards, 30 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions.
2/36 take it or leave it
That seems like a bad tactic. If they’re willing to hit him with the franchise tag, he’ll get close to that in one season. Many other teams would be ecstatic to give him the reigns.
Article suggest that they could, as a last ditch effort. Not that they were willing to do so. And the transition tag makes more sense for Geno bc its 29m.
However if they wanted to spend 32.4M on a QB they’d just go after Carr who is also younger and more proven than Geno.
For me, I wouldn’t tag him. it Geno Smith, what’s the real risk of someone else signing him for more than the transition tag and on anything more than 2-3 years?
Wilson’s steep dropoff also suggests that maybe it’s the system not the QB.
Hawks can sit tight imho. Go into the draft see how it shakes out, and pursue Carr, Jimmy G, and Geno at the same time.
Which teams are lining up to give out $30+ M to a guy with one good season in a decade?
Remember how no one would trade for Baker Mayfield due to his $19M contract last offseason?
I just don’t see all these “other” teams that would give big money to a guy like Geno. I just don’t.
Saying take it or leave it to effectively getting paid less than every starting quarterback who isn’t on a rookie deal seems like a great way to nickel and dime your way out of a QB.
they have the draft capital to move up for one of the QBs
They have more issues than QB and bridging the gap is a better play than throwing more assets to land a maybe QB in the draft. If one of the top 2 fell, sure, take them. But they still have some offensive and defensive gaps that need attention while having a guy they can pay for 2 years that has shown competence in the current system.
What offensive gaps need to be filled? TE but most of the league needs a TE besides that I guess interior OL
They don’t even have to move up they pick at 5
He’s getting more than that, he just is.
The tag is barely less than that for one season. And whether or not people like it; that’s how sports works.
Always love to see a late career resurgence. Good for him
Agreed. You have to give Geno a lot of credit. The guy believed in himself and kept plugging away. Anything I have ever heard out of him has either been positive or some note about him having to play better. Hope he’s finally found a home
Not to take anything away from Smith, but a lot of credit needs to go to Pete and his coaching staff. They seem to get the best out of players. Turns out they were maximizing RW not holding him back. To think that you can plug and play Smith on any roster because he suddenly “figured it out” is not giving enough credit to the organization.
No one succeeds in the sport without help. I just hope Geno absolutely refuses any suggestions by Pete to attempt passes from the opponents 1 yard line.
3 yrs $65MM
$45MM guaranteed and a way out after year 2.
Sign Locke to 4yr $10MM all guaranteed
QB situation locked up for less than $30MM a year and if Geno sucks give Drew a shot.
Naw Drew Locke can go…
They never should have sent the Broncos a fourth rounder for Lock. Backup should be a rookie that is developing behind Smith.
lock was part of wilson trade
I know. At the Hawk’s request. Seattle sent back RW and a fourth round pick in that deal. I’m suggesting they should have kept their pick and let Denver keep Lock especially with how “locked” in they were on last year’s draft.
Lock was not traded for specific draft pick. Part of the total package. Picks and multiple players. At the time Hawks had no idea Geno would have a good 2022. Looking at Lock and Geno to Bridge until draft QB.
I get it. I’m making a guess that the fourth rounder going back was to include the second round QB the Broncos selected 42nd overall, and not Shelby Harris. I’m suggesting that if the Hawks said “you keep Lock, and we keep our fourth round pick” the deal still gets done. We had no idea Geno would be good, but we had a lot of tape on Drew lock.
Lock is talented but too inconsistent to hand 4 years of money. They’d be better off drafting a 2/3rd rounder in the next couple years and saving cap room for building out the OL/DL.
He ended the season looking like old Geno I don’t think he all of a sudden got good. Great backup would not want him as my starter
Geno is crazy to sign anything before he goes on the open market unless he is willing to play for less here. I don’t see Seattle busting the bank for him like other teams might. I won’t go as far as Tally did above me but tying him up long term could hurt the team more than help. Trade back a few picks get more draft capital for next year and draft a QB then when there will be more and better QBs eligible.