Seahawks begin contract talks with Geno Smith

The Seattle Seahawks want to sign quarterback Geno Smith to a contract extension as soon as possible, but they understand that negotiations take time.

"I mean, I'd love to announce it (an extension) right now, that we're rolling and Geno's extended, and we can stop getting the question," head coach Mike Macdonald said Wednesday, according to the Seattle Times' Bob Condotta.

Macdonald added: "You kind of want to leave the situation to where everybody's really excited about where we're at, and then you move forward."

General manager John Schneider said Tuesday that the team will meet with Smith's agent this week to begin contract negotiations. The executive added that there's no deadline to finalize a deal since Smith is still under contract.

"We expect him to be our guy, but we want to do what's right, too," Schneider said, according to team reporter John Boyle.

Smith, who is entering the final year of the three-year, $75-million contract he signed in 2023, is due a $16 million roster bonus on March 16 and carries a $44.5 million cap hit in 2025.

Finalizing a new deal would help the Seahawks create flexibility - they're currently $6.5 million over the projected salary cap, per Over the Cap.

Macdonald is optimistic that Smith will thrive in new offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak's system. The two-time Pro Bowler threw for a career-high 4,320 yards to go along with 21 touchdowns and 15 interceptions last season but was sacked 50 times playing behind a shaky offensive line.