3 Seattle Seahawks players with the most to prove in 2023
By Lee Vowell
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith
Smith far exceeded expectations in 2022 even though his play in the second half of the season was a bit down from his first half. He was still one of the better quarterbacks in the NFC in the second half. At the end of the season, he topped the NFL in completion percentage and led the NFC in touchdown passes. This offseason, the Seahawks re-signed him to a three-year deal, but with a definite out after 2023.
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Basically, when the Seahawks offered Smith the deal this offseason they were saying, "Thanks for what you did last season but show us you can do it again next year." Smith, of course, believes in himself and thinks he can be as good or better this coming season. Seattle has given Smith even more weapons in receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba and running back Zach Charbonnet so Smith has no excuses for not being as good.
Seattle won't have the same kind of draft capital in 2024, most likely. They could have taken their quarterback of the future with the number 5 overall choice in 2023 and instead took cornerback Devon Witherspoon. This would indicate Seattle believes in Geno Smith and thinks he can be their quarterback for a few more years.
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But if Smith struggles through the first half of 2023 he might lose his job in 2024 and be released after the season. Smith's cap hit in 2024 is $31.2 million but his dead cap is only $17.4 million. In 2025, the discrepancy is even greater with his cap hit being $33.7 million and his dead cap just $8.7 million. Smith could still be Seattle's QB in 2025, but he'll have to prove he should be with his play in 2023.