SEATTLE — Geno Smith reportedly became a much wealthier man on Friday and got a vote of confidence from his new offensive coordinator with the Seahawks.
The quarterback was informed Thursday that he would remain on the roster through the end of the day Friday, when his $12.7 million base salary became guaranteed for 2024, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported citing league sources.
Some league pundits wondered if the Seahawks would elect to move on from Smith this offseason after letting coach Pete Carroll go and taking the organization in a new direction under Mike Macdonald.
Smith could still be traded by the Seahawks this offseason, especially as he is due another $9.6 million roster bonus on March 17, 2024, according to sports contract site Spotrac.
However, Ryan Grubb spent part of his first chance to speak to the media Thursday in his new role as Seahawks offensive coordinator praising both of Seattle's quarterbacks.
"We're in a dead period right now, so really that's all it is just getting to know him as people. So, no scheme or anything like that, but he's great," Grubb said when asked about Smith. "He's a competitor. He wants to be coached; he wants to be the best. It means a lot to him. And just hearing his story and his growth as a player and a person is inspiring honestly. So, I'm really fired up and looking forward to coaching him and Drew (Lock) both. They're both wonderful guys and they're competitors."
Grubb pointed to the particular aspects of Smith's game that excite him about the future.
"I think he's got good presence. I've been impressed with his decision-making," Grubb told reporters. "I thought last year in 2022, I think he led the league in completion percentage. I think that says a lot in this league when you talk about how hard those decisions are, number one, and then how tight the windows are. To be productive at that level and be the best in the league at it, I think says a lot. I think he pushed over 65 percent last year, so it just shows that he's got the ability to be accurate and make good decisions, and ultimately you need a guy that can lead be smart, tough and dependable and make good decisions, and I think Geno (Smith) is more than capable of doing that."
With a very deep quarterback class available in 2024, the Seahawks very well could select a young signal-caller to learn under Smith and perhaps even Lock next season. Grubb's comments and the Seahawks' decision to reportedly guarantee Smith almost $13 million makes it sound like the team plans to have the veteran under center when the regular season begins in September.
