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Seahawks GM John Schneider: ‘We want Geno to come back’
If there was any doubt about what the Seahawks would like to do on the quarterback place in 2023, their normal supervisor has put it to relaxation.
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John Schneider, who simply completed his thirteenth season as Seahawks GM, joined Seattle Sports activities’ Wyman and Bob for an unique interview on Thursday afternoon and addressed Seattle’s beginning QB, Geno Smith, who is about to enter free company this offseason.
“At the start, we wish Geno to return again. I imply, there’s no query, proper?” Schneider stated.
Smith, 32, was an incredible story for the Seahawks in 2022. He earned Seattle’s beginning job out of the preseason, taking on for earlier QB Russell Wilson, who was dealt to Denver in a blockbuster commerce final March. Not solely did Smith play properly, he helped Seattle earn a shock playoff berth, made the Professional Bowl, and is without doubt one of the favorites to win Comeback Participant of the 12 months for shining in his first alternative to be a full-time starter since 2014.
On the similar time, Wilson struggled in Denver, making it look like Schneider and the Hawks pulled off the heist of the 12 months.
The query now turns into what Smith may earn on a brand new deal now with the one-year contract he signed final offseason up. Spotrac’s Michael Ginnitti estimated Wednesday to Wyman and Bob that Smith may get a two-year contract averaging $35 million per 12 months.
Seattle will get the good thing about a number of avenues with the NFL’s franchise tag with Smith, and Schneider stated he has been speaking with Smith and his illustration on the choices for the 2 sides.
$35 million? Spotrac’s Ginnitti breaks down a possible Seahawks-Geno Smith deal
“There’s a steadiness once you’re constructing a staff, at all times, and Geno is aware of that,” Schneider stated. “He’s been to quite a lot of completely different groups and he’s seen it firsthand so he understands the method. We’ve had clear communication together with his company and Geno himself, so he is aware of the place we stand. However I’m actually happy with him, I’m actually blissful for him.”
Schneider made that final half clear as he shared some anecdotes from conversations with Smith in the course of the QB’s time backing up Wilson in Seattle from 2019-21.
“Geno and I’ve had quite a lot of discussions through the years about quarterbacks which have been round… (like) Wealthy Gannon – he got here on a little bit bit later in his profession,” Schneider stated, referencing the previous Raiders QB who gained the 2002 NFL MVP in his age-35 season. “… Geno and I had talked and he was like, ‘Man, ought to I’m going play within the CFL? I imply, I do know I can play.’ And he was at all times actually assured.”
It could look like historical historical past now, however Smith wasn’t even named the Seahawks’ beginning QB for 2022 till after Drew Lock, who he was competing in opposition to for the job, needed to miss time resulting from COVID-19.
“With restricted time within the offseason now, these guys (backup QBs) simply don’t get the reps,” Schneider stated. “The starter’s getting their reps, and (Smith) was splitting time with Drew (Lock) within the preseason after which Drew acquired COVID… And as soon as Geno was named the starter, he took it even a notch larger. Whether or not that was management, confidence, no matter, he simply did it. He did an ideal job and (quarterbacks coach) Dave Canales and (offensive coordinator) Shane (Waldron) have been wonderful with him.”
We may have extra from Wyman and Bob’s dialog with Schneider within the coming days on SeattleSports.com. You possibly can hearken to it in full within the podcast beneath.
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