Seattle Seahawks general manager John Schneider met with reports at the 2025 NFL Combine on Tuesday, and he was asked about the team's quarterback situation. As opposed to a vague answer that Schneider gave about how to fix Seattle's run game, Schneider was very direct about Geno Smith. Smith is not going anywhere anytime soon.
In fact, Schneider said the team is meeting with Smith's agents this week in an effort to try to work out a contract extension. Smith is signed through 2025 and is available for unrestricted free agency in 2026. Seattle could franchise tag Smith next offseason, but that would be an unlikely move based on Seattle's recent history.
The team does not use the franchise tag. Plus, Schneider does not get into bidding wars for players. He knows what he can pay, and he will pay no more.
John Schneider makes clear that the Seattle Seahawks want to keep Geno Smith
Schneider matter-of-factly said that Smith was "our guy." Many 12s might not like the possibility that Smith remains the team's QB1 for a few more years, but that appears to be the way things are trending. To be fair, Smith has mostly been a worthy QB1.
Sure, maybe Seattle will find a way past the Los Angeles Rams in Week 9 of the 2024 season if Smith does not commit a couple of horrible red zone turnovers. But is the team anywhere near playoff contention late in the season with more than half the other starting quarterbacks in the NFL? That is unlikely.
At times in his three seasons as the Seahawks starting quarterback, Smith has led the NFC in touchdown passes (2022), the NFL in completion percentage (2022, the league in fourth quarter comebacks and game-winning drives (2023), and he has made two Pro Bowls. With a better offensive line, which is the real issue with Seattle's offense, Smith might very well be a top-10 quarterback in the NFL.
The question about Smith might simply come down to money. If he wants $50 million or more a season, that should be a no. Something around $40 million a year could be workable. Plus, signing Smith to an extension would save the team $23,796,000 in cap room this offseason.
There is also no better option than Smith this offseason. Taking a chance on not signing him to an extension this offseason and letting him be a free agent in 2026 is taking a huge risk. He might have an excellent season under new offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak, and that would only increase his asking price in 2026. Most importantly, financially signing him to an extension just makes good sense.