The Seattle Seahawks are in the midst of experiencing significant change within the organization. They have a new head coach in Mike Macdonald and they could have a new starting quarterback for the 2024 season.
During a recent interview, reporter Aaron Levin of KCPQ-TV in Seattle asked Macdonald if starting quarterback Geno Smith and backup Drew Lock would be involved “in the future of the organization going forward.”
Macdonald was noncommittal about both.
“That’s a tough question and it’s one that I probably can’t answer right now,” Macdonald said. “But we’re doing a lot of work on those guys and I’ve had conversations just to get to know them and understand who they are as people and their background, and goals and what their family’s like and where they’re from. I didn’t know anything about them coming into this whole thing. So, right now we’re in the phase of figuring out who they are.”
The Seahawks seemingly gave Smith a vote of confidence when they allowed his $12.7 million base salary for the 2024 season to become fully guaranteed on Feb. 16. They allowed the guarantee to kick in even though Smith’s production in 2023 didn’t match what he did in 2022.
Smith threw for 3,624 yards, 20 touchdowns and nine interceptions while completing 67.4% of his passes in 2023. Smith posted a career season in 2022, throwing 4,282 yards with 30 touchdowns, while completing 69.8% of his passes, all career-highs. Smith led the Seahawks to a surprising playoff berth and was named the NFL’s Comeback Player of the Year and selected to the Pro Bowl.
The Seahawks rewarded Smith a new three-year, $75 million contract extension following the 2022 season. The contract extension was signed when Pete Carroll was the head coach and made nearly all of the personnel decisions.
Smith’s contract is very team-friendly and the Seahawks could trade him. Macdonald did leave the door open for one or both quarterbacks to return for the 2024 season.
“Obviously, one or two, or both, would fit into our plans moving forward,” Macdonald said. “But right now, probably don’t have that answer for you.”
