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.
I can see a 3 yr/105m with 60 million guaranteed.
I doubt they guarantee that much. I do think the years and dollars make sense though. My guess is the guarantee would be along the lines of $45M
I can see 3/105m with 20-25 million guaranteed. I don’t see them guaranteeing Smith money beyond 2025.
“So Geno, ready to work out an extension?”
“Thats great, but please leave some money for some veteran linemen and draft some guys that can keep my back from hitting the ground?”
Hopefully John Schneider finally realizes that it is imperative to commit to investing in a solid OL!
If he’s giving Geno and extension, prepare for more scraps on the O-line. The Hawks just do not have the cap room to do it all.
Rating the OL by how many times his back hits the ground is a fools errand. His lack of making a quick decision and/or making a good decision are highly in doubt. He had turnovers in the red zone higher than any other QB in the NFL. Heck maybe even College or HS ball this last year. He was decent between the 20’s inside the 20’s he was bad. His failure cost us a couple games. We do need an Offensive Lineman mainly an OG. We can draft a G or T and move the RT to guard or move the newly drafted OT to guard whichever makes more sense.
I would hate to see them sign a package that made him the starting QB for multiple years. We need to sign a QB that has a chance to be our starter for years to come. Unless we can move up the board to draft one in the next few years. Doubt it will happen but moving up to draft Manning would be a great move. We need to have most players fitted into their roles since we won’t have draft picks to use in the next few drafts. Do it guys make the offer to whoever has that top pick in a couple years.
“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”.
Who woulda thought before this past season that we’d be reading that about SD?
Yeah not me.
This is what happens when a QB escapes from crappy organizations (Jets, Panthers) and plays instead for quality organizations (49ers, Vikings).
It doesn’t explain how Joe Flacco won comeback player of the year with the Browns (nobody’s idea of a quality organization).
Joe Flacco learned how to play QB in a quality organization (Ravens). Sam Darnold “learned” how to play in dumpster fire teams.
Geno isn’t good enough. Win some games, sure. But he will never win a Super Bowl. In crunch time can you really see him beating …. Hurts , Jackson , Mahomes , Allen … Burrow even ? Not a chance.
Is Geno Smith worth $31million/year? I’d say no. In that case, cut him, pay him the remaining $13 million in deferred signing bonuses and move on.
Or let him play out his contract at the $43 million for 2025 and decide what to do with him next spring. Buying into another long term contract doesn’t make much sense to me on a mediocre 35 year old passer. The Seahawks have already had Smith’s Comeback Player of the Year season. It’s only downhill from here.
Geno swap. He has value. Just not on the field. Trade only. lol
With our roster. A o line bolster and elite rb that eats time. Any available 5-10 million qb can do what he does.
Trade him.
He and Murray in AZ have a similar cap number in 25. Rumblings in AZ about moving Kyle.
Coach MacDonald, true a Defense guy, comes from a Ravens team where there QB and Kyle play similar. Kyle gets a fresh start while still having a couple years on existing deal.
And Arizona gets flexibility in their long term commitment to a QB … whether Geno or a young gun … because of short term of Geno’s current deal.
Regardless of length, the Cap Structure will be the biggest factor in any future extension. The cap hit can’t prohibit getting quality free agents & extensions for existing players who are targets for retentions. Selling out the future for the present isn’t what the Seahawk’s do, either. Tricky business. Hopefully, it works out.