The new Seahawks regime seems ready to stick with Geno Smith.
The two-time Pro Bowler was told that he will remain on the team’s roster through this week, which makes the $12.7 million remaining on his contract guaranteed, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
The money coverts from injury guaranteed to fully guaranteed on Friday, which assures Smith that he will collect the money.
He also has a $9.6 million roster bonus due March 18.
The decision, which likely makes Smith the starter next season, comes amid a chaotic offseason in Seattle with the team parting ways with head coach Pete Carroll after 14 seasons and replacing him with Ravens defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald.
The Seahawks, according to Schefter, believed that with quarterback salaries exploding that keeping Smith was the prudent call, despite the team taking a step back this season.
Smith was the last of the Seahawks’ key roster decisions this offseason.
Wide receiver DK Metcalf still holds $13 million on his contract, while defensive lineman Dre’Mont Jones has $7 million of $11 million left and kicker Jason Myers holds $3.635 million.
All those contracts, like Smith’s, would become guaranteed on Friday.
By the beginning of the new league year, March 13, teams must be under the salary cap and as of Wednesday, the Seahawks were $5.2 million over, per OvertheCap.com.
This season, Smith led the Seahawks to a 9-8 season and passed for a total 3,624 yards with 20 touchdowns and nine interceptions.
The Seahawks, though, missed the playoffs a year after making it as a wild-card team.