In the end, all the concern trolling about Geno Smith getting massively overpaid was overhyped. Today the Seahawks made Smith their new franchise quarterback, agreeing to a three-year deal worth a total of $105 million, according to NFL Network.
That represents a bargain in the current quarterback market, where apparently Derek Carr is worth $100 million guaranteed and Daniel Jones is somehow convinced he’s worth over $40 million per season.
As for Smith, his performance was impressive enough to land him in firm top-10 quarterback territory. If not for a second half that was marred by turnover issues Smith might have even cracked the top five.
If he continues to perform the way he did in 2022, then this new contract is an absolute steal.
Geno’s value is no longer in question – this is a team-friendly deal for a very good quarterback who could lead them to playoff wins in the near future if the rest of this offseason proves as fruitful.
The real question now is if Seattle is safisfied enough with Smith to pass on a very strong class of quarterbacks in the draft while armed with the No. 5 overall pick.
After the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine, four clear favorites have emerged at the top of this class: Alabama’s Bryce Young, Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud, Kentucky’s Will Levis and Florida’s Anthony Richardson. If any one of them are available (especially Richardson) when the Seahawks are on the clock they’ll have to seriously consider taking them, no matter what they may think of Smith.