Geno Smith extension talks with Seahawks are currently unnecessary

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith is entering year two of a three-year deal with the team. His contract in 2024 has a cap hit of $26.4 million. In 2025, that number goes to $38.5 million. That is certainly a lot of money, but it only ranks number 13 among quarterbacks.

In 2024, Smith's number ranks 11. In other words, while his contract pays him more money next year, he is relatively less expensive. Seattle could still have Russell Wilson's bloated contract on the books, and Wilson is not the quarterback Smith is right now.

There are, of course, a number of 12s who think Seattle would be better not having Smith as QB1. There is little raw statistical evidence to support that theory, though. In 2022, Smith led the NFL in completion percentage and the NFC in touchdown passes. In 2023, Smith led the league in game-winning drives and fourth quarter comebacks.

Geno Smith is rumored to want to have extension talks with the Seattle Seahawks

If anything, there is a better argument to be made that the Seahawks would be much worse without Smith than better without him. He has also been a top-third of the league quarterback over the last two seasons in terms of total QBR.

There have been rumors that Smith's management team has approached the Seahawks about a contract extension. The quarterback will turn 35 during the 2025 season, so it makes sense his agent would try to get more money now rather than wait until closer to the time that Smith hits free agency. He will be older, though he has fewer proverbial miles on him due to the many years he was a backup and not taking a beating week in and week out.

Still, this could be a make-or-break season for Smith in Seattle. He will be running a new offensive system and must prove to new head coach Mike Macdonald and new offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb that Smith is capable of running the scheme at an efficient and productive level. Should Smith and the offense falter then that could keep the team from the playoffs yet again.

Smith might be worthy of a contract extension that begins in 2026. He will be, like every good quarterback in the league, expensive to re-sign. If he makes the offense run well, he will be worth every penny, though. Any extension talks should happen next offseason if that happens.

If he doesn't perform well in 2024, Smith could be a cut candidate next offseason, saving the team $25 million. Hopefully, that is not the case, but that that possibility even exists should mean Seattle should not sign Smith to an extension now.

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