Seahawks have had 'preliminary' talks with Geno Smith on contract

Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll did his regular rounds with the media Monday, the last time he'll do so for the 2022 season.

With Seattle's season ending on Saturday in Santa Clara, Calif., the first order of business now is what to do with their new possible franchise quarterback Geno Smith.

Smith is coming off a career-best, breakout year — having broken Russell Wilson's team record for passing yards in a season, leading the NFL in completion percentage and posting 30 touchdowns to go with 11 interceptions. That's enough to earn Smith a substantial raise from the one-year, prove-it deal he got last offseason. The question is how much.

Speaking on ESPN 710 Seattle yesterday, Carroll said the team has had preliminary conversations with Smith on a new contract.

The Seahawks have until March 15 to work something out. If Smith hasn't re-signed by then he will become an unrestricted free agent.

If the talks don't go well one possibility is using the franchise tag on Smith, which would come out to $32 million this year. The Seahawks own this year's No. 5 overall draft pick, which is high enough to land one of the top quarterback prospects in this year's class.

Nevertheless, Smith is worth bringing back and at least publicly Pete Carroll has said the team loves him and wants him back.