Seahawks QB Geno Smith wants to stay in Seattle

After helping lead the Seattle Seahawks to the playoffs in its first season sans quarterback Russell Wilson, veteran Geno Smith believes he's finally found a home. 

Following the Seahawks' 41-23 loss to the San Francisco 49ers in the wild-card round on Saturday, Smith, who will be a free agent this offseason, expressed his desire to return, saying he wants to finish his career in Seattle. 

"You know, I was a guy who probably could have been out of the league," Smith told reporters. "They embrace me and I want to repay them for that."

The Seahawks own the fifth overall selection in the 2023 NFL Draft, received in the Wilson trade with the Denver Broncos, and speculation is they'll use it to draft the team's next franchise quarterback. 

In the meantime, according to a report from ESPN's Ian Rapoport, the Seahawks have reportedly decided to bring Smith back. 

Wilson has undoubtedly gained the backing of his teammates. Seahawks safety Ryan Neal commented to reporters that he saw Smith "well into a workout" on Sunday morning, less than 24 hours after the 49ers eliminated Seattle from the postseason. 

"It sets the tone," Neal said. "When your quarterback is doing it, when your leader is doing it, everybody follows suit." 

Starting a full season for the first time since his rookie campaign with the New York Jets in 2013, Smith put together a comeback player-of-the-year-type campaign leading the Seahawks to a 9-8 record. 

The 32-year-old finished first in the NFL in completion percentage (69.8), posting career-highs in touchdown passes (30) and passing yards (4,282).