The Seattle Seahawks are keeping quarterback Geno Smith on the roster this week, guaranteeing his $12.7 million salary, ESPN reported Thursday.
The team had until Friday to release him to save the money.
He also has a roster bonus of $9.6 million that is due on March 17.
The immediate move either buys the Seahawks time to trade Smith or gives new head coach Mike Macdonald and recently hired offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb an opportunity to chart a path at the QB position.
Backup quarterback Drew Lock will become an unrestricted free agent next month.
With the high cost of starting quarterbacks, Smith could be an affordable option for a team looking for a quarterback, or for the Seahawks as they build their 2024 roster.
Smith, 33, has been steady at the position over the past two seasons for the Seahawks since replacing Russell Wilson as the starter. A Pro Bowl selection in both 2022 and 2023, Smith threw for 3,624 yards with 20 touchdowns and nine interceptions last season.
The Seahawks have the No. 16 overall selection in the upcoming NFL draft but don’t have a pick in the second round. That’s where the latest mock drafts from 247Sports and The Athletic project quarterback Michael Penix Jr. will be selected. He ran Grubb’s offense at Washington, where Grubb was the offensive coordinator.
–Field Level Media