Geno Smith and the Seattle Seahawks agreed to terms Monday on a three-year, $105 million contract to keep the veteran quarterback in Seattle through the 2025-2026 season.
Seattle has still not announced the official terms of the deal, however, Brady Henderson of ESPN reports that the deal includes $40 million in guaranteed money for Smith, who could earn as much as $52 million in the first year of his new contract.
The new deal will pay Smith $35 million annually over three years, which makes him the 10th highest-paid quarterback in the NFL heading into next season.
Smith is coming off a Pro Bowl season, in which he received Comeback Player of the Year honors, led the league with a 69.8% competition rate, and set all-time passing records for the Seahawks.
After earning less than $18 million through his first 10 seasons as a pro, Smith deserved a lucrative new deal, and the Seahawks rewarded him. Both sides had been eager to get a deal done, and now Smith secures his bag.
With the NFL draft looming in April, the decision to extend Smith doesn’t necessarily rule out the possibility of Seattle using an early-round draft pick on a quarterback.
Re-signing Smith allows the Seahawks to compete next season while giving them a veteran locker-room presence should the team opt to draft a QB to develop behind Smith.
There has been endless media speculation on what Seattle may do with the No. 5 overall pick, but one thing is for sure: Smith will be under center next season as the opening-day starter, and he has the love and support of the Seattle fans behind him.
Northwest Sports Desk 