Despite being eliminated from playoff contention, the Seattle Seahawks had plenty to play for in their season finale against the Los Angeles Rams, especially for quarterback Geno Smith. In Seattle’s 30-25 victory at SoFi Stadium, Smith secured $6 million in contract escalators by meeting several performance milestones.
The veteran quarterback had three separate $2 million escalators tied to various achievements. One was based on Seattle either making the playoffs or reaching 10 wins, which they accomplished with the victory. The other two were individual performance-based benchmarks. Smith needed 185 passing yards to surpass 4,282 for the season and maintain a completion rate of at least 69.7555%. He hit both, completing 20 of 27 passes for 223 yards, ending the season with 4,320 passing yards and a 70.4% completion rate—both franchise records he previously set in 2022.
Smith also set franchise highs for attempts (578) and completions (407) while becoming the 20th quarterback in NFL history to finish a season with a completion rate of 70% or better. His four touchdown passes against the Rams marked a career-high for a single game in his 12 NFL seasons.
One of Smith’s key targets, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, tied Tyler Lockett’s single-season franchise record with 100 receptions. Smith’s fourth touchdown pass, a game-winner to tight end Noah Fant, secured his fourth game-winning drive of the season.
Escalators, unlike incentives, are guaranteed upon achievement. The $6 million Smith earned will be added to the $10 million roster bonus he is set to receive if he remains with the Seahawks by March 16. At 34, Smith is eligible for a contract extension this offseason, though he kept specifics of his priorities in negotiations private.
Despite his personal success, Smith reflected on the season with humility, acknowledging areas for improvement, particularly his 15 interceptions. He praised first-year head coach Mike Macdonald for unwavering support and offered a strong endorsement of offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb, whose future has been questioned. Smith expressed confidence in Grubb’s system and its potential, emphasizing the need for patience as the team continues to grow.
