Seahawks Commit to Geno Smith as $12.7 Million Becomes Fully Guaranteed

The Seattle Seahawks have made a significant financial and football decision regarding quarterback Geno Smith, ensuring that he will remain on the roster past this week. With $12.7 million in his contract set to become fully guaranteed on Friday, the Seahawks have informed Smith that he will remain with the team, allowing the guarantee to take effect.

This move solidifies Smith’s place on Seattle’s roster for the time being and raises important questions about the team’s quarterback situation moving forward. With a new coaching staff in place and Seattle looking to build for the future, what does this decision mean for Smith, the Seahawks, and their plans in the upcoming offseason?

Geno Smith’s Contract Situation

Smith signed a three-year, $75 million contract with the Seahawks in 2023 after his breakout 2022 season, which earned him a Pro Bowl selection and the NFL Comeback Player of the Year award. The deal was structured to provide flexibility for the Seahawks, including incentives and guarantees that would activate over time.

One of the key clauses in the contract was the $12.7 million injury guarantee that converted to a full guarantee if Smith remained on the roster past Friday, February 9, 2025. Now that Seattle has chosen to keep him past that deadline, Smith is assured of collecting that money.

This doesn’t necessarily mean the Seahawks have committed to him as their long-term starter, but it does indicate that they are keeping their options open rather than making a drastic move early in the offseason.

Why Did the Seahawks Keep Smith Past the Guarantee Date?

1. Financial Strategy

Seattle’s decision to let Smith’s $12.7 million guarantee trigger could be part of a strategic salary cap move rather than a full endorsement of him as the long-term starter.

• Cap Management: The Seahawks would have incurred a dead cap hit if they released Smith before the guarantee date, so keeping him on the roster allows for more flexibility in potential trade talks or restructures.
• Potential Trade Value: If Seattle had released Smith before Friday, they would have lost any leverage in potential trade negotiations. Now, they can explore options while keeping Smith under contract.

2. New Coaching Staff’s Evaluation

Seattle is entering a new era with head coach Mike Macdonald, who was hired to replace Pete Carroll after 14 seasons. Macdonald and his yet-to-be-named offensive coordinator will need time to evaluate the quarterback situation before making a long-term decision.

• Smith has been productive: Over the past two seasons, Smith has thrown for 7,911 yards, 50 touchdowns, and 20 interceptions, completing nearly 67% of his passes.
• How does he fit in the new offense?: Macdonald is a defensive-minded coach, so his offensive coordinator hire will play a key role in determining Smith’s future.

By keeping Smith, Seattle allows the new staff to make a fully informed decision rather than rushing into an immediate change.

3. The 2024 Quarterback Market

The Seahawks also have to consider the 2024 NFL Draft and free agency when evaluating their quarterback situation.

• Draft Position: Seattle holds the No. 16 overall pick, which is likely too low to select a top quarterback prospect like Caleb Williams, Drake Maye, or Jayden Daniels.
• Veteran Market: Free-agent quarterbacks like Kirk Cousins, Baker Mayfield, and Ryan Tannehill could be available, but none are clear upgrades over Smith.
• Drafting a Developmental QB: Seattle could select a mid-round quarterback to develop behind Smith in 2024 before making a long-term move in 2025.

Keeping Smith gives Seattle the flexibility to wait and see how the quarterback market plays out before committing to a drastic change.

What’s Next for Geno Smith and the Seahawks?

With Smith now locked into his $12.7 million guarantee, the next step will be determining his long-term role with the team.

Scenario 1: Smith Remains the Starter in 2024

If Seattle believes Smith is still the best option, they could keep him as the starting quarterback next season while focusing on improving the roster around him.

• Smith provides stability: While not elite, Smith has proven to be a competent NFL starter who can lead the Seahawks to the playoffs.
• Use resources elsewhere: Instead of spending big on a quarterback, Seattle could improve the offensive line, defense, or running game to build a stronger overall team.

Scenario 2: Seattle Drafts a Quarterback and Keeps Smith as a Bridge

A likely scenario is that Seattle drafts a quarterback in April and keeps Smith as a bridge starter while the rookie develops.

• If a quarterback falls to No. 16, Seattle could take a prospect like Michael Penix Jr. or J.J. McCarthy to groom behind Smith.
• If Seattle trades up for a top prospect, Smith could still start early in the season while the rookie adjusts to the NFL.

Scenario 3: Seattle Trades Smith Later in the Offseason

By keeping Smith past Friday’s deadline, the Seahawks still have the option to trade him later in the offseason.

• Quarterback-needy teams like the Falcons, Raiders, or Steelers could be interested in Smith if they miss out on other options.
• Seattle could use a post-June 1 trade designation to spread out Smith’s cap hit, making a deal more manageable.

This scenario would depend on who Seattle acquires as a replacement, whether through the draft or free agency.

Final Thoughts: A Smart, Calculated Move by Seattle

The Seahawks’ decision to allow Geno Smith’s $12.7 million guarantee to activate doesn’t necessarily mean they are committing to him long-term, but rather keeping their options open.

By doing so, Seattle:

✔ Maintains flexibility in trade discussions
✔ Allows the new coaching staff time to evaluate Smith
✔ Keeps a competent veteran QB on the roster while exploring draft options
✔ Prevents a rushed decision that could backfire

As the Seahawks enter a new era with Mike Macdonald, the quarterback position remains a key storyline. Whether Smith remains the starter, serves as a bridge to a rookie, or gets traded later in the offseason, one thing is certain—Seattle is playing its cards carefully.

Now, all eyes turn to the NFL Draft, free agency, and the coaching staff’s decision-making process. The Seahawks may not have their long-term quarterback answer yet, but they’ve made sure to keep all options on the table—and that’s a smart move in today’s unpredictable NFL landscape.