Seattle Seahawks prepared if Geno Smith talks go poorly
Geno Smith may well end up with the Seattle Seahawks. But if Smith goes elsewhere, the Seahawks are ready to take a new direction.
The Seattle Seahawks would love to have Geno Smith. But if the veteran quarterback goes elsewhere, the Seahawks are ready to pivot.
On Tuesday at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll spoke about the team’s interest in the prospective quarterbacks coming out, who Seattle could theoretically use the No. 5 overall pick on, per ESPN:
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“We are totally connected to the quarterbacks that are coming out. This is a really huge opportunity for us. It’s a rare opportunity. We’ve been drafting in the low 20s for such a long time; you just don’t get the chance with these guys. So we’re deeply involved with all that.”
For the Seahawks, there’s a quartet of quarterbacks many see as first-round prospects. While landing Bryce Young of Alabama is a pipe dream without moving up, there’s Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud, Kentucky’s Will Levis and Florida’s Anthony Richardson. While trades could and most-likely will shake up the draft order, Seattle could have a chance to take a few of the aforementioned names.
Still, general manager John Schneider would like to retain Smith, after watching him earn his first Pro Bowl appearance following a 30-touchdown season. Scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent, Smith could get a nice payday elsewhere, or be tagged by the Seahawks for $32.4 million. Of course, Seattle could also work out a long-term deal with Smith, keeping his cap number a bit lower while giving him a bigger guaranteed chunk.
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In Indianapolis, Seattle will get to interview each prospect before seeing them work out, then get more intel on them — if it remains warranted — during free agency with pro days and site visits.
The bottom line? The Seahawks are in a terrific position, one which they can use to either trade back and add to their two first-round picks, or stand pat and take a quarterback who could define the franchise for the next 15 years.
