Geno Smith, exploring his options on the quarterback salary spectrum, sought an extension from the Seattle Seahawks this offseason. However, the team only restructured his existing contract rather than offering a new deal. Seahawks GM John Schneider confirmed to The Athletic’s Michael-Shawn Dugar that the team had not discussed extension terms with Smith.
Smith, who was looking for a new contract, remains on a relatively team-friendly deal. After his impressive Comeback Player of the Year season on a backup salary ($3.5M for one year), the Seahawks rewarded him with a three-year, $75M extension. While this was a significant increase at the time, it falls short compared to recent deals for similar quarterbacks, such as Derek Carr and Daniel Jones, and even more so compared to Baker Mayfield’s $100M contract.
Schneider’s comments clarify that there were no serious discussions about a new deal. Smith’s current contract, worth $25M per year, runs through the 2025 season, with no guaranteed money beyond this year. New head coach Mike Macdonald has confirmed Smith as the starter, and he secured $12.7M guaranteed by staying on the roster through mid-February.
The Seahawks restructured Smith’s contract to create cap space, making it slightly more difficult to move on from him in 2025. With no guarantees for next year, cutting Smith would result in $13.5M in dead money, allowing the team to assess him under the new offense.
For Smith, time is running out to leverage his starter status, especially with his 34th birthday approaching in October. The Seahawks did not draft a successor, but the new coaching staff might consider that in the future. Currently, Seattle’s quarterback room includes Smith and trade acquisition Sam Howell, with P.J. Walker recently released but potentially returning as a third-string option.