Former Mountaineer QB Geno Smith’s Great Year Getting Even Better
January 09, 2023 11:07 AM | Football, Blog
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – What a year it has been for former West Virginia University quarterback Geno Smith!
First, he beat out Drew Lock in a preseason battle to win the Seattle Seahawks starting quarterback job. Last month, he was named to the Pro Bowl for the first time in his career as a result of setting four team records, including three formerly held by last year's quarterback Russell Wilson.
Then yesterday, he overcame a shaky start to lead Seattle to a 19-16, comeback victory over the Los Angeles Rams to get the Seahawks into the playoffs in what was supposed to be a rebuilding season.
Since getting a multi-year contract as a rookie for the New York Jets in 2013, Smith has spent the last eight seasons working on one-year deals, including this year's $3.5 million salary.
Once this season is over, Smith will go into free agency looking to command a salary in the $25 to $30 million per year range as a 4,000-yard passer and playoff quarterback.
As a point of comparison, 35-year-old Ryan Tannehill earned $29.5 million this year quarterbacking the Tennessee Titans, who missed the playoffs.
"You know, the thing is that it's a business. Football is a business," Smith said after Sunday's win. "A lot of people have a lot of decisions to make. That's where I'll leave it at."
Seattle could choose to put a franchise tag on Smith to keep him from going to the open market, meaning the Seahawks would have to pay him a salary commensurate with the top quarterbacks in the NFL.
A transition tag could also be used on Smith. That means Seattle would have the ability to match any offer made by another team or it would get a high draft pick as compensation if Geno chooses to sign elsewhere.
If the Seahawks choose either option, Smith is likely to earn a salary of more than $30 million per year.
"I feel great about where I stand with this organization and my teammates and everybody else. But it's always — it's always a business first. So, I look at it like that. I understand that," he said.
"And I have to handle my business, as well," he added.
Seattle could also let Smith go in free agency and use one of the first-round draft picks it got when Russell Wilson signed with Denver to take a quarterback in this spring's draft. Or, it could stockpile picks and fix areas of need and sign a cheap free agent quarterback and take its chances like it did this season with Smith.
Seattle has options, but so, too, does Geno.
At any rate, it should be very interesting watching how everything unfolds for Geno Smith in 2023.
First, he beat out Drew Lock in a preseason battle to win the Seattle Seahawks starting quarterback job. Last month, he was named to the Pro Bowl for the first time in his career as a result of setting four team records, including three formerly held by last year's quarterback Russell Wilson.
Then yesterday, he overcame a shaky start to lead Seattle to a 19-16, comeback victory over the Los Angeles Rams to get the Seahawks into the playoffs in what was supposed to be a rebuilding season.
Since getting a multi-year contract as a rookie for the New York Jets in 2013, Smith has spent the last eight seasons working on one-year deals, including this year's $3.5 million salary.
Once this season is over, Smith will go into free agency looking to command a salary in the $25 to $30 million per year range as a 4,000-yard passer and playoff quarterback.
As a point of comparison, 35-year-old Ryan Tannehill earned $29.5 million this year quarterbacking the Tennessee Titans, who missed the playoffs.
"You know, the thing is that it's a business. Football is a business," Smith said after Sunday's win. "A lot of people have a lot of decisions to make. That's where I'll leave it at."
Seattle could choose to put a franchise tag on Smith to keep him from going to the open market, meaning the Seahawks would have to pay him a salary commensurate with the top quarterbacks in the NFL.
A transition tag could also be used on Smith. That means Seattle would have the ability to match any offer made by another team or it would get a high draft pick as compensation if Geno chooses to sign elsewhere.
If the Seahawks choose either option, Smith is likely to earn a salary of more than $30 million per year.
"I feel great about where I stand with this organization and my teammates and everybody else. But it's always — it's always a business first. So, I look at it like that. I understand that," he said.
"And I have to handle my business, as well," he added.
Seattle could also let Smith go in free agency and use one of the first-round draft picks it got when Russell Wilson signed with Denver to take a quarterback in this spring's draft. Or, it could stockpile picks and fix areas of need and sign a cheap free agent quarterback and take its chances like it did this season with Smith.
Seattle has options, but so, too, does Geno.
At any rate, it should be very interesting watching how everything unfolds for Geno Smith in 2023.
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