Should Seahawks Trade Geno Smith for A '$283 Million QB' Problem in Justin Fields?
We believe that the Seattle Seahawks just showed their hand when it comes to the immediate future of Geno Smith. But that doesn't mean we have to shut down all responsible speculation about what could change.
But in this space - as it regards Justin Fields - we can't shut down some truths and some realities. To wit ...
*Seattle just restructured Smith's $9.6 million roster bonus into a signing bonus, spreading the cap hit over the next two seasons. If the Seahawks were intending to deal him or go a different direction at quarterback, they wouldn't have rushed to turn his roster bonus into a signing bonus.
*Smith is only the 12th-highest paid quarterback in the NFL in 2024 (with a 15th-ranked cap hit among QBs of $26.5 million), causing our Corbin K. Smith to note that "his contract remains a quality value as a starter in the short term'' and that "his presence on the roster isn't a deterrence for drafting a signal-caller in April, either.''
*Comments from new coach Mike Macdonald and offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb - even before the restructure - strongly suggest the Seahawks wanted him and veteran backup Drew Lock to return in 2024.
*When media outlets use phrases like "an ideal landing spot'' or "a perfect fit'' ... it's a chuck of hyperbole that stands in the way of truth.
Bleacher Report - which frequently traffics in the use of such phrases - suggests the Seahawks flip two 2024 third-round draft picks and Geno Smith in exchange for Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields.
"Smith and a pair of third-rounders might get it done,'' B/R claims ... though we will admit we have no idea if that's accurate.
*B/R argues that the Seahawks, with the No. 16 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, won't likely be able to move up to secure one of the top quarterback draft prospects such as Caleb Williams, Drake Maye or Jayden Daniels. We're not sure that's true. Nor do we know for certain whether picking at No. 16 might get the QB prospect Seattle likes ... without moving at all.
*And finally, there are the finances. It's true that for the 2024 season, Fields is due to hit the cap at just $6 million. That can be the bargain of the year if he blossoms in Chicago or elsewhere.
But Chicago isn't balking at keeping him at $6 million. The reason a Bears trade is even in conversation mode is that Fields’ projected market value (via Spotrac) is $47.1 million per season across six years ... for a total of nearly $283 million.
So this isn't about Geno's $26.5 mil cap hit. This isn't about Fields' $6 million cap hit. This is about trading for a relatively unproven QB ... and about eventually having to lock him in at almost $50 million APY. And we believe the Seahawks, in their Geno move, have already demonstrated to us what they think of that idea.
