What Seahawks GM expects to hear about Geno Smith extension

Geno Smith’s contract situation is the focal point for much of the talk surrounding the Seattle Seahawks this offseason.

The Seahawks have made it clear they want the veteran quarterback to remain the Pacific Northwest. That likely means a contract extension for Smith, who’s current deals runs through the 2025 season.

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A new contract would give Smith security beyond the upcoming campaign while simultaneously giving Seattle an opportunity to lower its quarterback’s salary cap hit for 2025 in an effort to free up money to extend others or add through free agency.

During The John Schneider Show on Thursday with Seattle Sports’ Wyman and Bob, Seahawks general manager John Schneider shared the team is set to meet with Smith’s representatives Friday as they try to hammer out a new deal.

“We hope to, yeah, get an extension with Geno,” Schneider said. “Geno knows he’s our guy. We love him and we want to keep going forward.”

However, it doesn’t sound as if any sort of news of a contract extension for Smith should be expected Friday. Schneider indicated that the team will start to get a picture of the type of deal Smith is expecting at the meeting.

“It’s where we find out what he’s thinking,” Schneider said. “… It’s interesting because a lot of the conversations, too, are … regardless of position, everybody’s trying to figure out what everybody’s market value is, and by position it can range.”

Smith, who turns 35 years old in October, is set to make $31 million next season and carries a hefty $44.5 million cap hit. His current deal (three years, $75 million) carries an average annual value (AAV) of $25 million, which ranks 19th among current QB contracts, per OverTheCap. Any new deal is expected to be worth more. For reference, Arizona’s Kyler Murray, who has the 10th-highest AAV among QBs, is making an average of $46.1 million.

“When the gun goes off for free agency is really when we find out exactly what’s going on,” Schneider said. “But we’re down here conversating, kind of ballparking it and strategizing to get ready for the next steps once free agency hits.”

Smith finished fourth in the league passing yards (4,320) and completion percentage (70.4%) last season, but also threw the third-most interceptions (15) and most red-zone interceptions (four). He ranked 21st in total QBR (53.8).

Schneider on Nwosu’s contract

ESPN’s Brady Henderson reported earlier this month that the Seahawks appeared to have moved back the trigger date on a $6 million injury guarantee for 2025 for veteran edge rusher Uchenna Nwosu.

Wyman and Bob co-host Bob Stelton asked Schneider if the team was working on restructuring a deal with Nwosu, who holds the fifth-highest cap hit of any Seahawk in 2025 and is currently under contract through 2026.

“Yes,” Schneider said. “It’s a process that we’re working through and we met with his guys this week, so we’ll continue to do that.”

Hear the full conversation at this link or in the audio player near the top of this story. Listen to the John Schneider show at 4 p.m. on Thursday’s leading up to the NFL Draft. Wyman and Bob airs weekdays from 2-7 p.m.

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