The Seattle Seahawks are entering an offseason of uncertainty, and at the center of it all is quarterback Geno Smith. The 34-year-old had a solid season, breaking multiple franchise records and leading the team to a 10-7 record. However, thanks to head coach Mike Macdonald, Smith’s future with the Seahawks is anything but secure.
Mike Macdonald Gave a Lukewarm Assurance of Keeping QB Geno Smith
Coach Macdonald poured fuel to the fire of speculation during an interview with Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times. When asked if he expected Smith to return next season, Macdonald replied:
“Got no reason to say no. So I guess yeah.”
Mike Macdonald was asked if he expects Geno Smith to be back next year.
“I got no reason to say no. So I guess yeah.”
— Dugar, Michael-Shawn (@MikeDugar) January 6, 2025
The NFL community didn’t miss the tepid response, especially as they already saw an alteration storm following their playoff miss, making fans question whether Seattle will stick with Smith or begin exploring other quarterback options.
Smith wrapped up the season ranked 15th in PFN’s QB+ metric with a grade of 78.0 (C+). He edged out quarterbacks like Kyler Murray (77.7), Bo Nix (75.2), and Matthew Stafford (72.3) while trailing Justin Herbert (78.9) and Jordan Love (79.2). PFN’s QB+ metric blends key statistics, including success under pressure, third-down conversions, and clutch performance, to evaluate quarterbacks comprehensively.
Statistically, Smith had a strong year, setting several franchise records. He completed 407 passes on 578 attempts for 4,320 yards and an impressive 70.4% completion rate. His efforts contributed to a 10-7 season, Seattle’s first double-digit win campaign since 2020, and a second-place finish in its division, tying with the Los Angeles Rams but losing out on the playoffs via tiebreaker.
A playoff berth eluded the team, leading to the firing of OC Ryan Grubb, whom Smith considers a great influence. After the firing, Smith told USA Today, “I think Grubb is an excellent coordinator and an even better man.”
However, this also has a silver lining. Should Smith remain the starter, a new offensive coordinator could potentially unlock more from him.
Meanwhile, questions are being raised about Smith’s age and contract status. While he’s under contract through 2026, the Seahawks could try to get out of it this offseason, most likely via a trade (owed his 2025 roster bonuses on March 16). This scenario leaves room for Seattle to draft a young quarterback to develop behind Smith, ensuring a smooth transition in the coming years (Sam Howell is a free agent in 2026).
To wrap it up, it is still doubtful how Seattle’s picture will shape up in the coming days. Macdonald, who did not choose Smith as his quarterback, appears open to exploring other options. His lukewarm support, paired with the shake-up in the coaching staff, suggests a deeper vetting of the team’s offensive strategy. Let’s say that Smith’s fate is in the balance for now.
Should he stay, a new offensive coordinator could rejuvenate Seattle’s attack. However, with Macdonald’s comments leaving the future uncertain, the Seahawks seem poised for an offseason filled with decisions.