Rost: How Seattle Seahawks’ QB situation compares to NFC West

Is Geno Smith the best quarterback in the NFC West?

The NFC West is in a fascinating spot this offseason. In part due to mounting injuries for the San Francisco 49ers, no one team separated itself from the pack — the Los Angeles Rams’ visit to the playoffs came as the result of a fifth tiebreaker over the Seattle Seahawks.

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But it was at least clear which team had the best quarterback situation entering the year: the 49ers.

The Rams’ Matthew Stafford had the Super Bowl under his belt but was aging and facing injury questions. Meanwhile, San Francisco was paying a quarterback that helped them to two conference championships less than $1 million per year. The weapons around Brock Purdy drew attention away from some admittedly impressive production: fifth in passing yards, second in yards per pass attempt, third in total touchdowns and first in quarterback rating.

How quickly things change. Ask 100 NFL fans which quarterback in the NFC West is the most physically gifted, and the majority would probably say Kyler Murray of the Arizona Cardinals. While Murray has an underrated ability to target downfield, those same fans would probably give the nod to Stafford on the question of arm strength alone.

But with a disappointing season from Murray, a sticky situation in LA for Matthew Stafford, an impending payday for Purdy, and a potential contract extension in Seattle for Smith after a turnover-prone season… which team has the best quarterback situation now?

Will Stafford even be part of this debate in 2025?

For some, “Matthew Stafford” is an easy answer to the question of best quarterback in the division. He has an incredible arm, was the quarterback on 2024’s NFC West-winning team, has won a Super Bowl, and heads up coach Sean McVay’s brilliant offense.

Here’s the issue: he’s going to be short one weapon we’re plenty familiar with, with the Rams looking to trade Cooper Kupp. And his own future in LA isn’t certain.

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Stafford is under contract through 2026 but carries a nearly $50 million cap hit in 2025. That jumps to $53 million in 2026. He has just $4 million in guaranteed money over those two seasons, which will be something he’s surely looking to change. He said he plans to play in 2025, but will that be with the Rams? An organization already looking to move Kupp might be tempted to ship Stafford for a high-first round pick to a team desperate for quarterback help, particularly if they can’t offer him a number he’s happy with.

It would make for a spicy offseason, but ultimately the Rams’ best path forward might, like Seattle’s, be a temporary fix: in a bad quarterback market, rework a contract to keep your older passer with you and compete now.

SF’s great deal gone soon

Meanwhile in San Francisco, Purdy is due a massive payday. It was a perfect situation paying weapons around Purdy when you didn’t have to sink money into the quarterback position itself. That’ll change, and that sum will be far more than Stafford or Smith’s annual average value.

The Athletic’s Dianna Russini reported that the 49ers have already begun contract talks here, and that the AAV for Purdy could be between $55 and $60 million.

Pay your quarterback that much, and suddenly you’re evaluating him differently. Does he elevate the offense to a championship caliber? Can he win you the game with his back against the wall? Can he avoid the costly mistake? Does he make the players around him better?

Seattle Seahawks’ advantage with Geno

Full disclosure: to answer the actual question posted by this article, no, I don’t think the Seahawks have the best quarterback situation nor the most singularly talented passer in the division. But I do think it’s closer than most expect. And I do think they have a much better situation — and a much better player — than typically credited.

If the Seahawks work out an extension with Smith, as expected, that number could be around $40-45 million per year AAV. That’ll be less than Purdy (anticipated to be closer to $55 million) and potentially less than Murray ($46 million). It gives Seattle wiggle room to lower his 2025 salary cap hit and address the offensive line in free agency. He’d be roughly 10th to 12th in AAV among all passers. If he manages to cut down on some of his turnovers from 2024, he’d arguably be the 10th-12th best quarterback.

Smith is not a young franchise arm, nor the clearly best quarterback in the division — but Seattle wouldn’t be paying him like one.

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