The Seattle Seahawks have never been big spenders in free agency. Last year’s signing of outside linebacker Uchenna Nwosu to a two-year, $20 million deal is the most expensive contract head coach Pete Carroll and general manager John Schneider have agreed to for an outside player.
This year Seattle has one of the top free agents in the class in their own backyard, though. According to ESPN, quarterback Geno Smith is the fifth-best free agent in this cycle:
“Smith led the NFL in completion percentage (69.8%) this season, and his QBR (60.9) ranked sixth among all quarterbacks. That’s a big jump from the 58.8% completion rate and 43.6 QBR he posted over 46 games prior to this season. There’s no denying that Smith played extremely efficient football this season, seeing it fast from the pocket. And those traits travel well in any passing scheme. Smith finished the season with 4,282 passing yards, 30 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. If he doesn’t return to Seattle, he could be targeted to start elsewhere.”
Carroll and Schneider say they want to bring Geno back, but if last offseason’s comments about Russell Wilson are any indication fans can’t exactly take what they say in public at face value.
While it makes sense to re-sign Smith, Seattle has several reasons not to – not least of all the money it will take to do so. Based on his market value Smith should expect to make somewhere between $35-$40 million per year on his next contract. He’s also 32 years old and has only had one impressive season in his career as a starter.
The Seahawks also hold the No. 5 overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft, which puts them in position to land a QB prospect who would be considerably cheaper for the next 4-5 years.
No other Seahawks players made ESPN’s list of the top 50 free agents this year.
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