The 2023 NFL Draft will be held in Kansas City from April 27-29. Meanwhile, the Seahawks continue to adjust the roster in hopes of another playoff appearance. Here’s the best and worst of what they’ve done so far.
BEST | Re-signing Geno Smith
Smith has 11,199 career passing yards and almost half of them came last season. His 30 touchdowns and 4,282 yards in 2022 were both career highs. Smith’s play earned the AP Comeback Player of the Year award and a new contract from Seattle.
The team signed Smith to a team-friendly $75 million contract. The three-year deal includes a little over $27 million in guarantees, but if he plays poorly the Seahawks can release him in 2024 with just $8.7 million in dead money. The deal is filled with incentives, but at the moment Smith’s $10.1 million cap hit is half of what the Broncos owe Russell Wilson in 2023.
BEST | Adding Dre’Mont Jones
Jones is listed as a defensive end, but the Seahawks will move the former Bronco all over the line in 2023. The versatile 26-year-old has at least 5.5 sacks and 10 quarterback hits in each of the past three seasons and 133 tackles with 22 sacks for his career.
Seattle’s defense needed help. It had the seventh-fewest sacks in 2022 while allowing the eighth-most points per game. A three-year, $51 million deal for Jones was a smart move, as were the additions of Devin Bush, Julian Love and Bobby Wagner.
WORST | Nick Bellore’s Contract
After eight years with the Jets, Niners and Lions, Bellore came to Seattle in 2019. The part-time fullback and linebacker has played well on special teams, but giving a two-year, $6.6 million deal to a 34-year-old with almost no offensive or defensive snaps seems a bit much.
WORST | Re-signing Drew Lock
Speaking of too much money, does anyone think Drew Lock could’ve gotten $4 million from another team? In three years with Denver, Lock completed just 59.3% of his passes with 25 touchdowns and 20 interceptions. The 26-year-old didn’t throw a single pass last season.
Baker Mayfield played 12 games for the Rams and Panthers last year. He’s thrown 53 touchdowns since Lock entered the league and also signed a one-year, $4 million dollar deal. Washington’s own Gardner Minshew was also available. The former Cougar has 44 career touchdowns against 15 interceptions, but will cost the Colts $3.5 million next year. Lock may know the system, but if Smith misses time in 2023, the team could regret not signing a more experienced quarterback.
