Seahawks, QB Geno Smith Agree To Deal
MARCH 7: As is often the case, a later update pegged this contract at a slightly lower value. The deal’s base value sits at three years and $75MM, Mike Garafolo of NFL.com tweets. Smith will collect $40MM fully guaranteed, per Garafolo, and incentives comprise the rest of the $105MM max value. Smith going from a $3.5MM agreement in 2022 to this represents a staggering leap for the 11th-year veteran, even though the $25MM-per-year base pay is not quite what came out Monday night.
MARCH 6: The Seahawks have subscribed for more of quarterback Geno Smith, signing the veteran to a new multi-year contract, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. After leading the Seahawks to the postseason in his first year as a full-time starter for the team, the 2022 NFL Comeback Player of the Year is coming back to Seattle.
Smith agreed to a three-year deal worth $105MM, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. While many details are as of yet unknown, Smith is expected to make $52MM in his first year under the deal. After making $17.55MM over the first 10 years of his career, Smith is now set to double that in his contract’s $35MM average annual value (AAV) and nearly triple it in his first year of the deal. The new contract ranks 13th for NFL quarterbacks in total value and 10th for AAV. 
After serving as a full-time starting quarterback in his rookie and sophomore seasons, Smith, a second-round pick for the Jets in 2013, was seemingly relegated to backup duties. After backing up Ryan Fitzpatrick, Eli Manning, and Philip Rivers for the Jets, Giants, and Chargers, respectively, Smith finally wound up in Seattle to battle Paxton Lynch for the backup quarterback position behind Russell Wilson.
Smith spent the next three years as one of the more capable backups in the NFL, proving as much in 2021 during a four-game stretch that saw Smith throw for 702 yards, five touchdowns, and only one interception while replacing Wilson in surprisingly competitive contests. When Wilson was traded to the Broncos, Smith was given an opportunity to compete for the starting job with newly acquired Drew Lock, who came over in the Wilson trade.
Smith ended up winning Seattle’s starting job and rewarded the Seahawks with the best season of his career. In his first season as a starting quarterback in eight years, Smith led his team to the playoffs, earned a Pro Bowl bid, led the league in completion percentage, and won Comeback Player of the Year. Smith posted career-high numbers in passing yards (4,282) and passing touchdowns (30), and his interception total (11) was the lowest in any of his three seasons as a starter. Smith’s yardage total set a Seahawks record.
The well-traveled passer will now be under contract in Seattle through the 2025 season, during which he will turn 35. It’s good to see Smith make so much out of his second opportunity to start in the NFL. It will be exciting to see how much more he can make of it in the next three years.
Chiefs Release DE Frank Clark
MARCH 7: In a tweet thanking Clark for his contributions over the past four seasons, the Chiefs announced the separation Tuesday. Clark will have a head start on finding a new home in free agency.
MARCH 6: The Chiefs and Erik Burkhardt, current agent for defensive end Frank Clark, were reportedly unable to work out an extension heading into the final year of Clark’s current two-year contract, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. With no new deal getting done to lessen the financial burden on Kansas City, and with Clark set to have a cap hit in 2023 of $28.68MM, the expectation is that the Chiefs will release Clark. 
The two parties have been attempting to work out a cheaper way forward with one of their defensive stars who is third all-time in postseason sacks, but this year’s Super Bowl run gave them a delayed start in negotiations. Having failed to reach any common ground in efforts towards a renegotiated deal, Kansas City will not want to be responsible for the entirety of Clark’s massive cap hit. Releasing Clark will result in $21MM of cap savings and only $7.68MM in dead money.
If the Chiefs go that route, Clark will join this year’s free agent class. With a previous annual average value of $15.09MM, Clark was the league’s fifth highest paid defensive end. He likely becomes the top free agent option alongside fellow Super Bowl LVII participants Robert Quinn and Brandon Graham. Yannick Ngakoue and Jadeveon Clowney will also be top signing options this offseason.
Though the Chiefs and Clark may be parting ways, it may not be the end of Clark’s time in Kansas City. The 29-year-old may find, after testing the waters, that what the Chiefs have to offer is the best fit for him. Regardless, he’ll have that opportunity to test his market value if the Chiefs move forward with these plans.
Latest On Ravens, QB Lamar Jackson
The Ravens appear to be putting forth maximum effort towards extending star quarterback Lamar Jackson. According to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta went down to South Florida to meet with Jackson in an attempt to further negotiations. 
DeCosta reportedly left Miami with work to be done, as Pelissero claims the two sides remain on track for a franchise tag. The two parties have been the subject of much speculation, and after a year of negotiations, no consensus has been reached on a long-term deal. Former general manager and current Ravens executive vice president/player personnel Ozzie Newsome spoke on the subject today and seemed to confirm Pelissero’s assessment, according to ESPN’s Jamison Hensley.
“Today and up until 3:30 tomorrow, a lot of energy will be utilized in trying to get a deal done,” Newsome said on “The Bernie Kosar Show.” “If not, we will put the franchise tag on him.”
Baltimore has not utilized the franchise tag since using it in 2020 told hold on to pass rusher Matt Judon, but with Jackson’s status as a Raven hanging in the balance, the team seems fated to go that route again. The biggest question following “will Jackson be a Raven and how” is currently “which franchise tag with they use?”
If the Ravens administer the non-exclusive tag, it will allow other teams to negotiate potential deals with Jackson, presenting Baltimore with the option to match the offer or refuse it and be awarded two first-round picks as compensation. It’s difficult to imagine any offer another team would put up that the Ravens wouldn’t match, so it’s a dangerous route that could bite them. The exclusive franchise tag would restrict Jackson from participating in such negotiations but would allow him to hold out all the way up until the regular season if a new deal is not reached, a la Jessie Bates or, even worse, Le’Veon Bell.
Regardless of which decision the Ravens have in mind, they’re still going to give Jackson’s extension the old college try. As hopeless as it may seem, Newsome, DeCosta, and company will be working up until the finish line in an attempt to keep Jackson in black and purple long-term.
Minor NFL Transactions: 3/6/23
Bengals Unlikely To Re-Tag S Jessie Bates
After failing to reach a long-term extension with star safety Jessie Bates, the Bengals resorted to the franchise tag. Still without a new contract for Bates, it appears that Cincinnati will not utilize the franchise tag two years in a row to keep the safety off the open market, according to Tyler Dragon of USA Today. 
Following their application of the tag last year, the two parties continued to try and work towards a long-term extension. The process continued for months with Bates not attending camps even after the passing of the extension deadline. Bates finally signed his tag and rejoined the team before the Bengals’ final preseason game.
Once again, the two sides are having trouble finding their way towards common ground in a long-term agreement. The team has the option, once again, to franchise tag Bates, but due to his tag last year, the cost is higher than a regular franchise tag for a safety this year, costing the Bengals $15.5MM for another season. With Cincinnati opting not to choose that option, the two sides will have until March 15th to work out a new contract.
Bates would likely be a hot commodity as the top safety on the board. He’s already been linked to the Browns, who are parting with a safety of their own. Without a new contract, Bates will be competing with Jordan Poyer for the top money in the open market. Poyer has more experience, but Bates has the advantage of youth.
Regardless, it’s likely a bit of a weight off of the Bengals’ shoulders heading into the new league year. Sure, there is pressure to figure out a new deal in the next week and a half, but there is the relief of knowing that that pressure will not extend through to the start of next season.
NFL Restructures: Saints, Corbett, Grant, Eagles
The Saints restructured two contracts yesterday in an effort towards salary cap compliance, according to ESPN’s Field Yates. Both linebacker Demario Davis and tight end Taysom Hill have agreed to the new arrangements to lower their cap hit next season.
Davis is under contract through the 2025 season, Hill through 2026. Davis had another stellar season for the Saints in 2022. Since joining the team in 2018, he’s missed one game and been a first- or second-team All-Pro in every season but his first in New Orleans. The team converted $7.09MM of base salary for the 34-year-old’s 2023 season into a signing bonus, clearing $5.67MM in cap space off of his contract. He now holds a cap hit next year of $7.61MM with a base salary of $1.17MM.
Hill had another productive year as a Swiss-army weapon for New Orleans. The quarterback/tight end continued to show a much larger impact rushing than receiving but steeply declined in his passing numbers this year. The team converted $8.82MM of base salary for the 32-year-old’s 2023 season into a signing bonus, clearing $7.06MM in cap space off of his contract. He now holds a cap hit next year of $6.87MM with a base salary of $1.08MM.
The team still has several avenues it can explore to create cap space. Defensive end Cameron Jordan ($25.7MM), cornerback Marshon Lattimore ($22.4MM), guard Andrus Peat ($18.3MM), running back Alvin Kamara ($16MM), and quarterback Jameis Winston ($15.6MM) all hold cap hits over $15MM that could likely be restructured.
Here are few other recent moves as teams strive towards cap compliance:
- After signing a three-year, $26.25MM contract a year ago, guard Austin Corbett has agreed to a restructured deal with the Panthers, according to Panthers staff writer Darin Gantt. Corbett contributed to a much-improved offensive line this season, starting all 17 games before suffering a torn ACL in the team’s last game of the year. The 28-year-old is working towards a return spending every day at the facility in recovery. Yates of ESPN reports that the team converted $7.72MM, consisting of his base salary and a $1MM roster bonus, into a signing bonus, freeing up $5.79MM in cap space. Corbert now holds a 2023 salary of $1.08MM and a cap hit of $5.16MM.
- Yates’s above report on Corbett also mentioned the Browns recent restructuring of wide receiver and return-specialist Jakeem Grant. Grant missed the 2022 season with a torn Achilles tendon after signing a three-year, $10MM contract in the offseason. The renegotiated deal for Grant reportedly reduces his cap hit by $1.77MM.
- Eagles center Jason Kelce is currently headed towards free agency or, potentially, retirement. Still, since Philadelphia has a habit of building voidable years into contracts in an effort to lessen the salary cap burden of deals, the team found it necessary to decrease that financial burden that Kelce’s expiring contract has on their future. According to yet another report by Yates, the Eagles paid Kelce a $3MM bonus yesterday, consisting of his $2.75MM 2023 roster bonus and $250,000 2023 offseason bonus, to reduce his 2023 cap hit. The move reportedly cleared up around $2.4MM of cap space for Philadelphia next season.
NFL Draft Rumors: Combine, Richardson, Raiders
The league is making efforts to change systemic issues in the combine interview process this year. As issues have been unveiled in the line of questioning that some team interviewers use, the NFL has responded with a potential punishment. Teams and their representatives could be fined a minimum of $350,000 and required to forfeit a draft pick “no later than the third round” if they are found to have conducted themselves “in an inappropriate or unlawful manner” during an interview, according to Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports.
Examples of inappropriate lines of questions would be those that concern a prospect’s race, national origin, religion, or sexual orientation, as none of these are factors that affect the playing ability of a prospect. In the past, we’ve heard such issues as former Dolphins general manager Jeff Ireland asking if wide receiver Dez Bryant‘s mother was a prostitute or a coach for the Falcons asking cornerback Eli Apple about his sexual preference, obvious questions that would never be allowed in the course of a normal job interview.
The league also provided teams with plenty of examples of “high-risk questions” and their more acceptable alternatives. Instead of asking if a player suffers from mental illness, a team can inquire about any obstacles or hardships the prospect has overcome in their course of success. Instead of asking if a player was ever in “special education” classes, a team can ask if the player has any difficulties in learning and playing the game and whether or not they need any accommodations to play. Instead of asking if a player or anyone in the player’s family is an alcoholic, a team can ask the less pointed question of whether or not they drink alcohol.
Issues, such as the behavior of team staffers in interviews, are becoming more and more relevant as the combine flirts with obsoletion. With personal workouts and pro days proving to be the preferred method of evaluation for athletes, the combine is losing support. The event is still super important for small-school prospects who won’t have the same exposure at their own pro days, but if larger surrounding schools are willing to host their smaller, nearby competitors even this issue could be alleviated.
For now, the league will do what it can to make sure that, as long as the event is still happening, it’s done in a way that’s safe and appropriate for future NFL players.
Here are a few more rumors about the upcoming NFL Draft:
- There’s been plenty of discussion surrounding the draft stock of Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson, with projections anywhere from No. 1 overall pick to the fourth round. Regardless, Richardson reportedly did more than anyone else in Indianapolis this week to help his draft stock with an outstanding combine performance, according to Michael David Smith of NBC Sports. At 6-foot-4, 240 pounds, Richardson put up impressive numbers with a 4.43 40-yard dash, a broad jump of ten feet and nine inches, and a best ever for a quarterback vertical jump of 40.5 inches. As impressive as those numbers are, many teams already lauded him on his athleticism; they needed to see him throw a football. Here, Richardson excelled, again. Over the course of throwing drills, Richardson displayed an arm talent that many questioned was present. Do low-pressure throws to receivers running against air make scouts forget about his 53.8 completion percentage last year? It’s hard to say, but Richardson is doing everything he can to give NFL teams something to think about over the next two months.
- The Raiders spent their fair share of time evaluating the quarterback position this past week in Indianapolis. In a mailbag to Vincent Bonsignore of the Las Vegas Review-Journal, many fans inquired about life post-Derek Carr. Through all the questions, one thing became (relatively) clear: the Raiders are impressed with Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud. The general consensus is that, with the No. 7 overall pick, Stroud will not fall to Las Vegas, leading many to ask about a trade up. Bonsignore seems to be under the impression that Las Vegas feels Richardson or Kentucky passer Will Levis will fall to them at seven. He also projected a 60-percent probability that the team trades up for Stroud as opposed to waiting for Richardson or Levis. However much time remains until a decision must be made, it appears that Las Vegas favors Stroud at this point in time.
Cardinals Expect C Rodney Hudson To Retire
After center Rodney Hudson contemplated retirement during the last offseason and spent much of the past season on injured reserve, the Cardinals expect him to finally hang up his cleats this offseason, according to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN. The 12-year veteran is set to turn 34 before the season begins, and as injuries continue to interfere with play, Hudson may be ready to put a bow on an impressive career. 
A Chiefs’ second-round pick out of Florida State in 2011, Hudson played in every game for Kansas City as a rookie, earning one start. He earned the starting center job in his sophomore season, but a broken leg ended his season after only three games. After earning that starting job, though, Hudson was forevermore considered a surefire starter at the position.
In the final year of his rookie contract with the Chiefs, Hudson had the best year of his career, starting all 16 games for the first time and grading out as the fifth-best center in the league, according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required). The Raiders rewarded the strong contract year with a five-year, $44.5MM contract in 2015. Hudson would reward Oakland in return with some of the best years of his career, including his first two Pro Bowl bids. The Raiders avoided allowing Hudson to play out the final year of his new contract, signing him to a three-year, $33.75MM extension that made him the highest paid center in the NFL in 2019. Hudson once again rewarded them with a Pro Bowl season and a second-team All-Pro selection.
As he was headed towards another contract year, and a sizeable cap hit, Las Vegas opted to trade Hudson, along with a seventh-round pick, to the Cardinals in exchange for a third-round pick, used to draft defensive end Malcolm Koonce. Hudson started 12 games for the Cardinals during his debut season in Arizona, finding the IR for a few games due to rib and shoulder injuries. After considering retirement, Hudson returned for a second year with the Cardinals. Unfortunately, Hudson was placed on IR after dealing with knee trouble throughout training camp and the first four games of the season. He would miss the last 13 games of the season due to the injury issues.
Those four games now appear to be his last in the NFL as the Cardinals expect him to retire. For Arizona, this puts them squarely in the market for a new center. Billy Price, who started in place of Hudson, is set for free agency. Even if he weren’t, Price graded out as the second-worst center in the league this season, according to PFF. Guard Sean Harlow also has experience at center but is also set to hit free agency.
If All-Pro Eagles center Jason Kelce doesn’t join Hudson in retirement, he’ll be the top option in free agency this spring. Otherwise, Jets center Connor McGovern had a strong contract year and Jon Feliciano should be available, as well, after switching from guard to center for the Giants last year. If Arizona chooses to go the draft route, North Dakota State’s Cody Mauch, TCU’s Steve Avila, and Minnesota’s John Michael Schmitz are considered the top prospects at the position, according to Dane Brugler of The Athletic.
If this is the end of Hudson’s career, it’s one he can be proud of. With three Pro Bowls and an All-Pro selection, as well as some of the most prolific contracts for a center in NFL history, Hudson has plenty to hang his hat on after 12 years of play.
NFC Coaching Updates: Wilson, Seahawks, Cardinals
When Jonathan Gannon departed to become the new head coach in Arizona, the Eagles had several options to fill the newly vacant defensive coordinator position. In the end, Philadelphia decided to hire externally, bringing in Seahawks assistant head coach and defensive assistant Sean Desai. According to Ian Rapoport, one in-house assistant coach has decided to part ways with the franchise after being passed over for the promotion, a situation not uncommon with coordinator jobs.
Former Eagles passing game coordinator and defensive backs coach Dennard Wilson was mentioned early as a top candidate to replace his former boss. Wilson certainly deserved mention. With the title of passing game coordinator, Wilson coached a group that allowed the few passing yards in the league this season. This feat is made all the more impressive by the fact that opposing offenses were doing whatever they could to keep up with the league’s No. 2 scoring offense.
Had Wilson not been a favorite for the promotion in Philadelphia, he likely would’ve been a hot commodity around the league. He’s held back only by a lack of experience, perhaps why Desai, a former defensive coordinator, was granted with the coordinator position over him. It’s a bit late for Wilson to be hitting the open market as many jobs have been filled. As far as I can tell, the Bills are the only team with a vacant defensive coordinator position. Wilson shouldn’t have any issues finding a job, though, after his success in Philadelphia.
Here are a few other coaching updates from around the NFC:
- The Seahawks have added a pass rush specialist coach to their staff, according to Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2, hiring Brandon Jordan to the position. Jordan is widely regarded as a top pass rush coach in the game, long providing private training sessions with NFL pass rushers such as Jadeveon Clowney, Cameron Heyward, Chandler Jones, Von Miller, and T.J. Watt. He most recently held the same position at Michigan State, helping them go from 97th in the country with 12.0 sacks in 2020 to 6th in the nation with 43.0 sacks in 2021. This will be his first NFL opportunity.
- With defensive coordinator Vance Joseph heading from Arizona to Denver, a defensive assistant is expected to follow Joseph from the Cardinals, according to Troy Renck of Insider Denver7. Renck reportedly fully expects Cardinals defensive quality control coach Rob Grosso to follow Joseph to Denver. Grosso had followed Joseph to Arizona after he was fired from his head coaching position in 2019. Grosso had served as assistant to the head coach in Denver working with outside linebackers and special teams. The Joseph disciple is expected to find his way back to Denver with his boss.
AFC North Rumors: Jackson, Watson, Steelers
A common conception of the situation surrounding the Ravens and quarterback Lamar Jackson‘s efforts towards a new deal has been that Jackson has refused to participate in negotiations. Jackson’s teammate, defensive lineman Calais Campbell, told the media this week that Jackson is more than willing to work out a new contract, according to Jamison Hensley of ESPN.
“He wants to get a deal done, and that’s the most important part” Campbell said on NFL Network. “Sometimes guys who are part of a team and don’t want to be there anymore use (free agency) as an opportunity to go elsewhere, but he wants to be (a Raven).”
Josina Anderson of CBS Sports reported yesterday that the Ravens remain “hopeful” for a new deal and that the team currently has their best offer yet on the table for Jackson. It’s reportedly not an all or nothing offer, as the Ravens are waiting for a counter to their proposal from Jackson. We have no certain facts as to what the deal may entail, but on The Athletic Football Show podcast hosted by Robert Mays, rumors were mentioned that Baltimore is willing to go up to $50MM per year and 80% guaranteed money. The team is running out of time before they’ll be required to tag Jackson or, barring a more preferred resolution, trade him.
Here are a few more rumors from around the AFC North, starting with one of the main reasons the Ravens are having such an issue with Jackson’s new contract:
- News that comes as a surprise to absolutely nobody, the Browns are exploring restructuring the historic fully-guaranteed contract of quarterback Deshaun Watson, according to Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com. The team is facing a challenge in getting under the salary cap and have already confirmed plans to release safety John Johnson in order to clear some space. After a first year of Watson’s contract that held a base salary of $402,500 and a cap hit of $9.40MM, Watson’s numbers in 2023 jump up to a base salary of $46MM and a record-setting cap hit of $54.99MM. Browns general manager Andrew Berry acknowledged that, with the team currently about $13.42MM over the cap, Watson’s mammoth contract could be a source of wiggle room with a restructure.
- Since the Steelers waited until after last year’s draft to replace then-general manager Kevin Colbert, new general manager Omar Khan is going through his first draft process. According to Mark Kaboly of The Athletic, Khan plans to use assistant general manager Andy Weidl much in the way Weidl was used in Philadelphia. That is to say that the Steelers will rely on Weidl to put together the team’s draft board before turning it over to the higher ups who will make the draft decisions. Weidl will utilize input from director of player scouting Mark Sadowski, director of college scouting Dan Colbert, and director of pro scouting Sheldon White, then Khan will work together with head coach Mike Tomlin and owner Art Rooney to make decisions.