Seattle, WA
Keyshawn Johnson: How much Seahawks should pay Geno on 3-year deal
Many are stunned that Geno Smith was a really efficient beginning quarterback for the Seahawks this previous season. ESPN host and former NFL receiver Keyshawn Johnson isn’t one in every of them, as he defined to Seattle Sports activities’ Bump and Stacy on Thursday.
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“Once I checked out it, and I watched Geno (Smith) when he took over for Russell Wilson in 2021), I mentioned to myself, basically, for a man that hasn’t performed as a beginning quarterback for seven years, he’s doing the identical factor that Russell’s doing,” Johnson mentioned. “He’s transferring the ball, he’s throwing it, they’re scoring touchdowns. OK, so he’s rusty. However as soon as the rust falls off and he’s the full-time starter with out worrying about, ‘If I make a mistake, if I do that I’m gonna get yanked,’ he’s gonna be higher for that.”
“I mentioned, man, ‘It’s gonna be the identical factor. Watch what I inform you. They’re going to run the soccer, they’re going to let him throw the ball lower than 30 makes an attempt once more, he’s going to have about 200-something each sport. He’s going to have a landing within the air. Possibly from time to time he has a turnover,’” Johnson added. “Similar factor. Similar factor.”
Smith actually was as much as the duty, ending eighth in yards, fourth in touchdowns and first in completion proportion. That led to Smith being named to a Professional Bowler for the primary time in his profession.
Now the three massive questions with Smith are will he be again with the Seahawks in 2023, how a lot will he price, and might he replicate his 2022 success?
Smith is hitting free company after his one-year deal expired, and plenty of suppose that a place to begin for negotiations is over $32 million yearly as that’s the value of a franchise tag for a quarterback this offseason.
Johnson thinks Smith can play effectively once more in 2023, and that the Seahawks ought to get a deal accomplished.
“You pay him the cash. Chances are you’ll not pay him $50 million a 12 months, however you reward him,” he mentioned.
“Geno Smith is best than any quarterback you gonna get in faculty proper now, anyway … He’s simply seasoned. He’s higher than these guys proper now,” Johnson added. “I didn’t say don’t draft a quarterback. What I’m saying is he’s your man for the subsequent two or three years whereas that man will get able to take over if Geno falters.”
So how a lot would Johnson pay Smith in a brand new deal? He mentioned the Seahawks probably should pay Smith greater than the franchise tag quantity, so he thinks it comes out to about $35 million yearly.
“You give him a three-year (contract for $105 million), and also you give him about $60 million of it totally assured, $60 to $70 million of it totally assured, and we’re gonna maintain it transferring,” Johnson mentioned.
Hearken to Johnson’s full interview with Bump and Stacy at this hyperlink or within the participant beneath.
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