Seahawks’ Bold Move: Trading Geno Smith and Signing Sam Darnold
SEATTLE — The Seattle Seahawks have made a significant move that has left fans buzzing and analysts debating. As the team’s general manager, John Schneider, addressed the media at the scouting combine, he hinted at a potential shift in the team’s quarterback strategy. “We expect him to be our guy,” Schneider said about Geno Smith, “but we want to do what’s right, too.”
Little did we know, this was a prelude to a blockbuster quarterback swap that would shake up the NFL landscape. The Seahawks traded Geno Smith to the Las Vegas Raiders for a third-round pick after extension talks broke down. The deal was finalized when Seattle signed free agent Sam Darnold to a three-year, $100.5 million contract.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Seahawks are betting big on Darnold, offering him $55 million in guarantees. This move signals a significant gamble that Darnold will outperform Smith, who has been a reliable presence for the team.
Geno Smith’s Legacy and Challenges
Geno Smith has been a cornerstone for the Seahawks, boasting one of the NFL’s most talented and accurate arms. He recently set a franchise record with a 70.4% completion rate and has led nine winning drives over the past two seasons. His record stands at 27-22 over the last three years, including a 10-7 finish last season despite challenges like a weak offensive line and a struggling run game.
However, Smith’s age and recent performance have raised concerns. At 34, he ranked 21st in QBR over the past two seasons and threw 15 interceptions last season, including a league-high four in the red zone. While coach Mike Macdonald praised Smith’s toughness and work ethic, he also pointed out areas for improvement as a leader.
Sam Darnold: A New Hope?
Enter Sam Darnold, a 27-year-old quarterback with potential upside. Darnold led the Minnesota Vikings to a 14-3 record in his only season as their starter, ranking 14th in QBR (60.4) and earning a Pro Bowl nod. This places him seven spots ahead of Smith, who had a QBR of 53.8.
Despite his promising season, Darnold’s struggles in the Vikings’ final two games, including an 11-sack debacle in their wild-card playoff loss to the Los Angeles Rams, have raised questions about his ceiling. Without a track record of sustained success, there’s a risk he could be a one-year wonder, especially now that he’s left the only NFL setting where he has thrived.
The Road Ahead for Seattle
Darnold’s journey has been tumultuous. As the No. 3 pick in 2018, he was seen as a disappointment, bouncing from the New York Jets to the Carolina Panthers and then the San Francisco 49ers. He played under new Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak before finding success in Minnesota.
However, Darnold won’t have the same support in Seattle. The Seahawks have traded DK Metcalf and released Tyler Lockett, leaving them with no proven options outside of Jaxon Smith-Njigba.
- The Seahawks have released four other veterans as part of a significant roster purge.
- They return most of their key players from a top-10 defense.
- Seattle now has ample cap space and five draft picks among the top 100.
While the roster will look dramatically different, the Seahawks aren’t intentionally taking a step back in 2025 to leap forward in 2026. They’ve done this before under Schneider, turning perceived rebuilds into playoff appearances, as seen in 2018 and 2022.
Whether history repeats itself this season will depend largely on whether Schneider and Macdonald’s quarterback swap pays off.
Originally Written by: Brady Henderson
