Geno Smith’s first significant snaps as Seattle Seahawks quarterback got here towards the Los Angeles Rams manner again in 2021. Is it doable that his final look in a Seahawks uniform may even be towards the Rams?
We gained’t know the reply maybe till March, however for the right here and now he stays the Seahawks starter till additional discover. Smith ended his 2024 season on a excessive observe with a career-high 4 landing passes and a fourth game-winning drive of the season, combating by noticeable ache to ship the go-ahead rating to Noah Fant.
At Sunday’s post-game press convention, Smith assessed how the season went and acknowledged the frustration of lacking the playoffs for a second straight yr.
“Happy with the blokes, pleased with everyone, the best way they fought,” Smith stated. “Happy with our teaching workers, pleased with our entrance workplace, simply everyone within the constructing. But in addition feeling disenchanted for everybody. [We] don’t get to go to observe and get again to it. These are the issues that I look ahead to, man, and I can’t go to observe with my guys on Monday. Acquired to attend a very long time to get again to work. I do know a whole lot of guys sacrificed this yr. A variety of guys put in a whole lot of work and actually deserve extra soccer, however that’s not the case. So simply feeling for the blokes, man. Wishing we may proceed to do that factor collectively. I really like each considered one of my teammates, man. I really like each a part of this group and yeah, it sucks. It sucks.”
Smith is however very optimistic concerning the progress the Seahawks are making towards being contenders… even when he isn’t a part of the staff’s plans down the road.
“There are a whole lot of younger guys on the offensive line,” Smith stated. “There are a whole lot of younger guys on this staff. This staff is… I’m telling you man, this staff is on course. This staff is on its manner. That’s with or with out me. These guys on this locker room, these coaches, this group, excellent group, and I imagine in it. I imagine the most effective of the most effective goes to occur for this staff. I simply need to proceed to struggle with these guys.”
Smith’s contract is up after the 2025 season, and his efficiency towards the Rams had vital ramifications concerning his wage cap hit. By hitting his targets of 10 wins and setting new profession highs in passing yards and completion proportion, Smith achieved $6 million in contract escalators, which impacts his roster bonus and wage cap cost.
Right here’s an explainer from ESPN’s Brady Henderson:
Escalators differ from incentives in that incentives are assured the second a participant hits them. In Smith’s case, the $6 million in escalator cash he hit Sunday might be added onto the $10 million roster bonus he’s set to make March 16 if he’s nonetheless with the Seahawks as of that date.
Smith’s 2025 cap quantity is now $44.5 million as an alternative of $38.5 million. A method to decrease that quantity is to increase his contract, in any other case chopping him would save $31 million in cap house and incur $13.5 million in lifeless cash.
When requested about contract negotiations, Smith saved it transient.
“These are issues that I’ll speak to the those who I want to speak to about,” Smith stated. “I respect the query however I wish to hold a whole lot of issues internally and in-house. With respect to everyone concerned, I feel it’s one of the best ways to do it.”
The complete press convention could be seen beneath:
