Seahawks ‘expect’ Geno Smith to be their QB in ’25

INDIANAPOLIS — Seahawks leaders expect Geno Smith to “be our guy” this year.

They are meeting with representatives for the two-time Pro Bowl quarterback here at the NFL Combine to make a deal that works better for the team and for Smith in 2025.

“Yeah, we’re going to meet with him this week, meet with his agent, see where it goes,” general manager John Schneider said Tuesday off the podium at the Indiana Convention Center, as the league’s annual scouting extravaganza began.

Smith will turn 35 during the 2025 season. He has this final year remaining on his three-year, $75 million deal.

Seattle wants to lower the quarterback’s scheduled charge of a team-high $44.5 million against the NFL salary cap for 2025.

A new contract beyond this year is the most direct and conventional way to do that in league math.

The Seahawks have to get under the NFL salary cap with their top 51 contracts by the start of the new league year March 12.

When asked if there is a deadline to get Smith a new contract for beyond 2025 and lower his cap charge for this year, Schneider said: “No. He’s got another year (on his deal).”

The GM added: “We expect him to be our guy.

“But we want to do what’s right, too.’’

Schneider is in his 15th year as Seahawks GM. He said, “I have a really good relationship” with Smith’s agent. That is Chafie Fields, the former Penn State star wide receiver.

“We’ve had a great conversation,” Schneider said of him with Smith’s agent.

In the Seahawks’ final game of the 2024 season Jan. 5 at the Los Angeles Rams, Smith earned $6 million more in contract bonuses. Those were for breaking the Seattle season record for yards passing and completion percentage, plus the team having 10 wins this past season.

After that game, Smith said he believes he is a top-10 quarterback in the NFL — and that he believes the Seahawks think that, too.

The league’s top-10 paid quarterbacks in average annual contract value range from Dallas’ Dak Prescott at $60 million per year to Arizona’s Kyler Murray at $46.1 million. That’s per figures from overthecap.com.

Smith’s current average of $25 million per year is 19th-highest among league QBs.

Schneider was asked Tuesday about Smith’s belief he’s a top-10 quarterback.

“Obviously, he’s confident. That’s the way he rolls,” the GM said.

“I won’t get into specific conversations.”

The News Tribune asked Schneider on Tuesday the same question the TNT asked the GM at the conclusion of the 2024 NFL draft, when the team did not draft a quarterback for the 13th time in Schneider’s 15 years running the draft.

What is the Seahawks’ long-term plan for 2026 and beyond at the sport’s most important position?

“Well, hopefully, the (draft) board talks to us, right, and maybe we draft a quarterback.

“It just hasn’t gone that way.”

Seahawks general manager John Schneider at the NFL combine here in Indianapolis:

“I feel bad for our fans…not making the playoffs two years in a row.”

Says it’s time to get Lumen Field “rockin’” again, with a fast defense and running the ball on offense.

Smith’s backup is 24-year-old Sam Howell. He is also entering the final year of his contract.

The former Washington starter led the league in interceptions for the Commanders while leading that team to a 4-13 record in 2023. Schneider traded to get Howell before last season.

He was inaccurate with his throws early in training camp. In the only true game action he got in the regular season, he replaced the injured Smith in the second half and completed five of 14 passes for 24 yards, an interception and four sacks finishing a 30-13 home loss to Green Bay Dec. 15.

Tuesday, the GM said Howell didn’t fit the drop-back passing offense one-and-done offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb installed before the Seahawks fired him Jan. 6.

Three weeks later, coach Mike Macdonald and Schneider hired Klint Kubiak from the New Orleans Saints to be Seattle’s new offensive coordinator and playcaller. Kubiak’s system is based more on moving the quarterback out of the pocket with bootleg plays and roll-out passes.

“I wanted to see Sam with these guys,” Schneider said of Howell with Kubiak’s new offensive staff and system. “With Klint, you know, all the boots and the movement stuff, you know, we didn’t really see that last year. We were more like some pocket and, you know, he came in late (after the trade).

“You know what wasn’t a good setup for him.”