Reports: Seahawks, Geno Smith agree to three-year, $105 million contract extension

One of 2022’s best stories just added another chapter. Quarterback Geno Smith has made his NFL free agency decision, signing a new contract with the Seattle Seahawks. According to multiple reports, the deal is a three-year, $105 million extension including the ability to earn $52 million in year one to keep the Comeback Player of the Year in Seattle.

Smith earned himself a big raise with his play in 2022. After the Seahawks traded Russell Wilson to the Denver Broncos, Smith earned the starting nod over Drew Lock and never looked back. On the season, Smith completed 69.8 percent of his pass attempts, which led the NFL, throwing for 4,282 yards with 30 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.

The feat was remarkable for Smith, who was the AP Comeback Player of the Year as a result. The 2022 season was Smith’s third in Seattle, though he spent most of his first two years on the sideline as a backup. He led the Seahawks to the playoffs as a wildcard, where Seattle lost 41-23 to the San Francisco 49ers.

Smith’s NFL career began in 2013 when he was selected by the New York Jets with the No. 39 overall pick in the second round of the 2013 NFL Draft out of West Virginia. Smith was a starter with the Jets out of the gates, with 29 starts in his first two NFL seasons. Those were a forgettable two seasons, though, as the Jets went just 11-18, including 3-10 in 2014 with him in the starting role. Smith threw 21 interceptions compared to 12 touchdowns as a rookie in 2013, with 13 touchdowns and 13 interceptions in 2014.

After the 2014 season, Smith was relegated to the backup role in New York. He stayed in that role for two years, before Smith signed with the New York Giants in free agency before the 2017 season. He then joined the Los Angeles Chargers in 2018.

Overall, Smith has 51 starts in his NFL career, with a 22-29 record. He has completed 62.8 percent of his passes with 11,199 yards, 64 touchdowns and 48 interceptions.

More on the 2023 NFL offseason, free agency

The NFL 2023 calendar is set to begin at 4 p.m. ET on March 15 when contracts running through 2022 will officially run out, making those players free agents. Prior to the beginning of free agency, teams will have a chance to designate one franchise or transition tag player, starting on Feb. 21 at 4 p.m. ET and ending on March 7. Beginning March 13 through March 15 teams will be allowed a legal negotiation with players who are set to become unrestricted free agents.

In addition to NFL free agency, the new year also marks the beginning of all trades being made official by the league office. April 21 marks the deadline to sign restricted free agents to offer sheets while April 26 marks the deadline for teams to match restricted free agent offers sheets. 722 players are slated to become free agents in 2023.