SEALD; Seattle Seahawks have just completed another major big monster Deal.
The Seattle Seahawks‘ 2023 season is now complete, and despite their 9-8 record, they did not quite make it to the postseason. Because of this, the practice squad that was assembled following the end of training camp was disbanded on Monday, releasing the players as free agents.
Therefore, the Seahawks signed seven young players to future contracts in order to keep them from becoming unrestricted free agents after they played all or part of the 2023 season on the practice squad.
The following seven athletes signed contracts for future play:
Bell Levi
Brett Koback and Matt Gotel
Mabry Tyler
Sutherland, Jonathan
Cody White Winston Jr., Esop, Jr.
If you’re wondering what a future contract is, think of it as a 2024 season placeholder contract. Any contract that was signed today would expire on March 31st, 2023, the conclusion of the league season. All that is meant by a future contract is a commitment for a future league year—in this case, 2024.
FURTHERÂ MORE
Seattle: It’s unclear if the Seattle Seahawks have many questions to answer this offseason, including who they will hire as a coach. However, one of those questions may be quarterback.
That will soon be ascertained.
After signing a contract amid much fanfare in March of last year, Geno Smith is signed for two more years, and the general consensus is that he will return to lead the offense in 2024.
It’s not a sure thing, though.
Who else Seattle might have at quarterback when training camp starts in the summer is another unanswered question. With backup quarterback Drew Lock set to become an unrestricted free agent in March, Smith is the only quarterback on the team with a contract.
Smith first.
Although his contract is set to expire in 2025, the Seahawks have the option to terminate it at any time.
On February 16, it will become clear if they do.
Smith’s base salary of $12.7 million for the 2024 season becomes guaranteed if he is still with Seattle on that date. If Smith is still with the team on March 18, he will also receive a $9.6 million bonus. Smith’s guaranteed base pay would be a clear sign that the Seahawks anticipate Smith to start in 2024. They would expect Smith to start if he were to receive the roster bonus.
In 2024, Smith might have been entitled to an additional $15 million if he had met targets for passing touchdowns, completion percentage, and passer rating in 2023.
But Smith didn’t hit any of them; his two injury-related absences from games are one factor. His completion percentage dropped from 69.8% to 64.7%, yards decreased from 4,282 to 3,624, rating dropped from 100.9 to 92.1, and he completed fewer touchdown passes (20 in 2022 compared to 20 in 2023).
However, if he doesn’t meet the incentives, Seattle may be more inclined to keep Smith under contract. Additionally, Smith’s salary cap amount for 2024 remains at the $31.2 million initial projection due to his failure to receive the incentives. Compared to his $10.1 million for this season, that is a significant rise.
However, Spotrac.com indicates that Smith’s 2024 cap hit—which ranks him as the 12th-largest of all quarterbacks—is also reasonable for a player of his caliber.
For the first time since coach Pete Carroll was fired on Tuesday, Seahawks general manager John Schneider addressed the media and offered a largely positive assessment of his starting quarterback. With five game-winning drives, including two in Seattle’s last three games, Smith set a franchise record.
Schneider stated, “I think Geno had a good season.” Compared to last year, it was somewhat different. Last year, he had a great start to the season and saw some slight declines in performance in the second half. He didn’t start off as strong as he did last year, but he ended up being very strong.
With Smith, the Seahawks have options because there is no money guaranteed until February 16. They could declare it a post-June 1 cut and take a $8.7 million dead-cap hit this year but save $22.5 million, or they could cut him before then and take a $17.4 million dead-cap hit in 2024 while saving $13.8 million.
But before they knew for sure who might be available in free agency, they would have to make that decision. Although Seattle is slated to select 16th overall in the NFL draft, there are no assurances with that position. Options may also be restricted because of the Leonard Williams trade, which cost them a second-round pick.
Lock, on the other hand, signed a $4 million one-year contract a few days after Smith did in March and participated in the previous season. At the time, he agreed to come back as a backup.
However, Lock may have more options after showing well in two relief appearances and two starts, completing 48 for 76 for 543 yards with three touchdowns, three interceptions, and an 81.2 passer rating. In the closing minutes, he famously oversaw a 92-yard drive to defeat the Eagles on “Monday Night Football.”
Lock might be more appealing on the open market as a result of those games and an NFL season in which the importance of a dependable backup quarterback seemed to become more apparent.
It could be challenging for Seattle to offer Lock a comparable deal given that they might have to absorb a $20 million increase in Smith’s cap hit in addition to other cap issues.
As was to be expected, Lock told reporters the day after the season ended that he would love to return but would consider his options before Carroll was fired.
When asked what he plans to seek when he hits free agency, Lock replied, “finding the best fit.” Of course, a lot of factors—city, offense, and money—come into play. While there are many factors to consider, ultimately what matters most is getting the right fit and comfort level.
Lock laughed when asked how playing time fits into that calculation.
That is the part that is not discussed, Lock agreed. Playing ball is something that every quarterback in this league will fight for the opportunity to get out on the field because we don’t play football to not play, and that’s number one.
Lock turned 27 in November and has only started five games since the 2020 campaign, despite his comments that he was enjoying this season.
Compared to a 2022 season in which he did not take a snap, Lock’s four games this season have given him a stronger base from which to enter free agency.
It was difficult to enter free agency without any tape the year before, according to Lock. “I feel like I have a completely different mindset on the whole gig now that I actually have a couple of clips showing where I’ve progressed from my last time stepping on the field and understand what free agency is like.”
Naturally, the situation could alter for all parties if a new coach took over.
Lock understands he will always have that incredible drive against the Eagles if he doesn’t return.
Regarding where that drive and the game-winning touchdown pass to Jaxon Smith-Njigba rank on his career highlights list, he said, “For me, it’s No. 1 right now.” “Aiming to create a few more career-related memories for myself.”
