Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith is coming off a career year in which he won NFL Comeback Player of the Year honors. What the former second-round pick of the New York Jets actually came back from was being nothing more than a career backup and journeyman.
Whether Smith is a one-year wonder remains to be seen. But he’s going to collect an absolutely huge paycheck once NFL free agency opens in March.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, that will likely be with Seattle.
“Geno Smith wants to be in Seattle. The Seahawks want him in Seattle. The two sides have been working on a long-term extension. I think it would be a surprise if it didn’t get done. I would operate under the theory that Geno Smith will be in Seattle,” Schefter reported on Wednesday.
This comes after Smith noted during the Pro Bowl that contract talks with the Seahawks have been “very positive.”
On one hand, this makes perfect sense for Seattle. In fact, Smith outplayed former Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson this past season. It was among the biggest storylines around the NFL.
On the other hand, there has to be some real concern that Smith was a one-year wonder. Prior to 2022, the former West Virginia star had thrown 34 touchdowns compared to 37 interceptions in nine NFL seasons.
Related: Geno Smith and the top 2023 NFL free agents
What a Geno Smith contract might look like
To the average fan, these numbers are going to be absolutely stunning. That’s the nature of the beast amid a quarterback market that continues to reset itself on a never-ending loop.
Fellow free agent Daniel Jones of the New York Giants is reportedly slated to earn $40 million annually on a new contract. His counterpart with the Philadelphia Eagles, Jalen Hurts, could set a new mark with $50-plus million in an extension this offseason. Smith is squarely in between those two players in what he brings to the table.
- Geno Smith stats (2022): 70% completion, 4,282 yards, 30 touchdowns, 11 interceptions, 100.9 QB rating
It wouldn’t be a surprise if Smith earned somewhere near $40 million annually on a shorter-term deal. Though, it’s going to be all about the guarantees. Will Seattle look to protect itself from a potential letdown from the veteran quarterback?
As of right now, Deshaun Watson’s fully guaranteed $230 million contract is the standard barrier. Smith is not getting anywhere near that. He’s likely more in line to receive two years guaranteed on what would be a four-year, $160 million contract, meaning roughly $80 million.
Not too shabby for someone who was seen as a major bust around the NFL leading up to the 2022 season.