Seahawks' Pete Carroll: Geno Smith 'gambling' on himself with new deal

It sounds like the Seattle Seahawks haven't written as large a check to quarterback Geno Smith as first thought. 

Per Brady Henderson of ESPN, Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll explained during an interview with Seattle Sports 710 AM that the specifics of Smith's new three-year deal could make it a team-friendly contract. 

"When you guys get your chance and you really dig in, you'll see that it is leaning that way, where we're counting on him coming through and doing the things that he was able to do last year, and if he does that, he's going to get rewarded," Carroll said about the deal. "We know that if he's able to come back and do that, he's going to have a great season and we're going to be in great shape. We're going to have a real chance to be at our best. So it is heavily structured that way, and I know he's gambling a little bit in that sense on himself."

It was initially reported on Monday that Smith and the Seahawks agreed to a three-year, $105 million contract. However, NFL Network's Mike Garafolo (h/t Kevin Patra) and Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio later pointed out that the deal has $40 million fully guaranteed at signing, carries a base value of $75 million over three years and includes $30 million in incentives.

As it pertains to salary-cap and cash concerns past 2023, Florio wrote that "the Seahawks could potentially move on after one season." Understandably, Carroll hopes individuals within the team's front office won't have to worry about the quarterback position next winter and that the club instead will be able to "reward" Smith. 

Smith enjoyed his best NFL season, to date, serving as Seattle's replacement for Russell Wilson in 2022. Per ESPN stats, the 32-year-old ended the regular season fifth among qualified players with a 100.9 passer rating, tied for sixth with a 60.8 adjusted QBR, first with a 69.8% completion percentage, eighth with 4,282 passing yards and fourth with 30 touchdowns through the air. He earned his first Pro Bowl nod and the Associated Press Comeback Player of the Year Award. 

Even after Smith's stellar campaign, it seems the Seahawks protected themselves with his contract similar to what the New York Giants did to hold onto quarterback Daniel Jones for at least another season or two.