Geno Smith contract: Seahawks ink QB to win-win deal after resurgent season

Geno Smith’s contract was expected but the Seahawks locked up the quarterback without having to franchise him.

After Geno Smith quickly ditched the interim designation as the starting quarterback for the Seattle Seahawks in a post-Russell Wilson world, all signs were that the franchise wanted him back. The only question was whether they would be able to strike a long-term contract or whether the franchise tag would be used.

With the mark deadline approaching, we got our answer on Monday. And it’s a new Geno Smith contract that’s about to be hot off the press.

According to NFL insiders Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero, the Seahawks have sealed the 2022 NFL Comeback Player of the Year to a three-year contract that would keep the quarterback in Seattle through the end of the 2025 season. This comes after Smith led the team to the playoffs while He threw for 4,282 yards and 30 touchdowns with a completion rate of 69.8%, all career highs.

Geno Smith contract: Seahawks QB deal details

According to reports, Smith’s three-year contract is worth $105 million, making the average annual value of the deal $35 million.

The Score’s Jordan Schultz was first to report that Smith’s contract will have nearly half the value of the books in the first year with the quarterback making $52 million for the 2023 season. That’s something that could have serious ramifications this season for the Seahawks.

Seahawks cover space after Geno Smith contract

Prior to news of Smith’s contract, the Seahawks were projected to have about $23 million in cap space per Over the Cap. Smith’s deal that’s on the books for $52 million in Season 1 really makes some things happen in the off-season to free up some Max space.

If not, Seattle may seek to save money for the cap with some restructuring and possibly salary cuts. Cut Shelby Harris and Al Woods will release north of $12 million at $6.5 million while deals Jamal Adams, Quander Diggs and Tyler Lockett will net more than $5.6 million each.

In any case, Smith’s deal doesn’t stop the Seahawks from continuing to make more moves in the offseason — you know, like bringing a longtime defensive star back into the fold.

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