Seahawks Bold Trade Idea: Geno Smith OUT, Washington QB Michael Penix Jr. IN?

As an aggressive alternative to keeping Geno Smith at quarterback, the Seattle Seahawks could orchestrate a move up in April's NFL Draft to select local star Michael Penix Jr.

The Seattle Seahawks are officially keeping Geno Smith for the 2024 season after informing him he'd remain on the roster Friday, which is when his base salary will be fully guaranteed with $12.7 million.

But what if they had chosen to go a different direction?

Perhaps current backup Drew Lock becomes a stop-gap. Maybe new coach Mike Macdonald and general manager John Schneider decide to sign a veteran in free agency such as Kirk Cousins or Baker Mayfield. Or, as suggested by Bleacher Report this week, maybe the Seahawks could've made a trade that will "turn the draft upside down."

Smith has made two Pro Bowls since taking over for Russell Wilson, but this week his contract escalates to nearly $13 million with a salary-cap hit of more than $30 million. Maybe Plan B could have been a blockbuster draft deal to find Seattle's next franchise quarterback if the Seahawks decided to move on from Geno.

ClutchPoints

The proposed trade? New York Jets send their No. 10 overall pick and a fourth-rounder (111) to the Seahawks, in exchange for the 16th pick, two selections in the third round (78 and 81) and a fourth-rounder in 2025.

Like a lot of teams around them in the draft, the Jets (Aaron Rodgers) don't need a quarterback. What they do need is picks, seeing that they only have five and none in the second round.

For Seattle, the trade allows a move up to draft University of Washington quarterback and local fan favorite Michael Penix Jr.

“Landing in a city like Seattle is the type of atmosphere Michael Penix Jr. could thrive in quickly,” BR writes. “Staying home in the Pacific Northwest wouldn’t be a bad gig for the Heisman runner-up in Penix, either."

Macdonald Reveals Seahawks 'Core Identity' For Next Season

For years as defensive guru of the Baltimore Ravens, Macdonald watched Lamar Jackson torment teams with both his arm and legs. In his first year in Seattle he could pair receivers DK Metcalf, Tyler Lockett and Jaxon Smith-Njigba with the quarterback who is widely considered the best deep passer in the draft.

We're not convinced such a deal would have "turned the draft upside down," but it certainly could have shaken things up in Seattle.

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