After a great season in which Geno Smith exceeded everyone’s expectations, the 32-year-old quarterback suddenly finds himself as a free agent, ready to make huge money for the first time in his career.
That contract might come with the Seattle Seahawks. It might come elsewhere. Seahawks GM John Schneider made his thoughts on the contract negotiations clear Thursday in an appearance on the “Wyman & Bob” Podcast for Seattle Sports 710 AM.
“First and foremost we want Geno to come back,” Schneider said. “There’s no question, right. There’s a balance when you’re building a team, always. … Geno understands the process, we’ve had clear communication with his agency and Geno himself, so he knows where we stand.”
That “balance” Schneider mentioned is a financial issue. Teams can’t spend so much money on a QB — or any other position — that other spots suffer. The podcast hosts asked Schneider if there’s a contract demand so high the team would bid Smith farewell.
“There’s a drop-dead number, sure,” Schneider said. “It sounds cold, but like with any negotiation I’ve ever been in, it’s like, ‘OK, that’s not happening.'”
The NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported Jan. 14 the Seahawks will use the franchise tag on Smith if they can’t work out a new contract.
“I’m told Geno Smith will be back with Seattle in 2023,” Rapoport said on “NFL Game Day.” “There is also the franchise tag available. Expect them to use that if it is necessary. $30 million-plus would be double what Geno has made in his career.”
Whatever Smith’s future holds, the player best known for his failures as the New York Jets starter almost a decade ago has finally proven himself in the NFL.
Schneider says he couldn’t be happier for Smith.
“I’m really proud of him and really happy for him,”Schneider said. “Once Geno was named the starter … he took it a notch higher, whether that was leadership, confidence, whatever, he did a great job.”
[Mike Lefko, Seattle Sports 710 AM]
