Geno Smith’s first significant snaps as Seattle Seahawks quarterback got here towards the Los Angeles Rams means again in 2021. Is it potential that his final look in a Seahawks uniform can even be towards the Rams?
We received’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 notice with a career-high 4 landing passes and a fourth game-winning drive of the season, combating by way of 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 fellows, pleased with all people, the best way they fought,” Smith stated. “Happy with our teaching employees, pleased with our entrance workplace, simply all people within the constructing. But in addition feeling disenchanted for everybody. [We] don’t get to go to apply and get again to it. These are the issues that I sit up for, man, and I can’t go to apply 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. Quite a lot 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 fellows, man. Wishing we may proceed to do that factor collectively. I like each considered one of my teammates, man. I like each a part of this group and yeah, it sucks. It sucks.”
Smith is however very optimistic in regards to 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 target. This staff is on its means. That’s with or with out me. These guys on this locker room, these coaches, this group, excellent group, and I consider in it. I consider the perfect of the perfect goes to occur for this staff. I simply need to proceed to battle with these guys.”
Smith’s contract is up after the 2025 season, and his efficiency towards the Rams had important 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 can 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 approach to decrease that quantity is to increase his contract, in any other case reducing him would save $31 million in cap house and incur $13.5 million in useless cash.
When requested about contract negotiations, Smith saved it temporary.
“These are issues that I’ll discuss to the those who I want to speak to about,” Smith stated. “I recognize the query however I prefer to preserve a whole lot of issues internally and in-house. With respect to all people concerned, I feel it’s one of the best ways to do it.”
The complete press convention could be seen under:
