INGLEWOOD, Calif. — The Seattle Seahawks had been already eradicated from playoff competition heading into their season finale in opposition to the Los Angeles Rams, however with $6 million on the road, the sport was removed from meaningless for Geno Smith.
The veteran quarterback had three contract escalators value $2 million apiece inside attain, and he hit all three in Seattle’s 30-25 win at So-Fi Stadium.
“I used to be simply attempting to win,” Smith stated.
By doing so, Smith hit considered one of his escalators that was tied to Seattle (10-7) both making the playoffs or successful 10 video games. The different two had been tied to Smith’s season-long efficiency. He wanted 185 passing yards to complete with no less than 4,282, which he surpassed early within the fourth quarter. For the opposite, he wanted to complete at or above 69.7555% completion price, which he did by finishing 20 of 27 makes an attempt for 223 yards.
Four of Smith’s completions had been to Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who tied Tyler Lockett‘s single-season franchise file with 100 catches.
Smith ends the season with 4,320 passing yards and a 70.4% completion price to interrupt a franchise file he set in each marks from 2022. His 578 makes an attempt and 407 completions additionally topped his franchise information he set from that season. According to the staff, he is the twentieth quarterback in NFL historical past to complete with a completion price of 70% or higher.
Smith’s 4 landing passes Sunday had been his most in any recreation in his 12 NFL seasons.
“I inform you, I hate throwing incompletions anyhow,” Smith stated. “So these forms of issues, I’m not apprehensive about that. I attempt to full each cross that I throw. Usually, through the video games, if I’ve one, I’m like, ‘I’ve to hit 5 in a row.’ That’s how I play. I wish to hit 10 in a row. I would like 20 completions in a row. I wasn’t eager about something aside from successful.”
Smith’s fourth landing cross, which went to tight finish Noah Fant with three and a half minutes to play, additionally gave him his fourth game-winning drive within the fourth quarter or extra time this season.
“It was nice to get that final drive for us to go on the market and rating, Noah to get his first landing,” he stated. “How loopy does that sound? First landing of the season. But for that to be the sport winner, largest landing of the 12 months. Just needed to go on the market and win and I’m appreciative of the blokes for battling on this recreation. Obviously had nothing to play for however nonetheless had every little thing to play for.”
Escalators differ from incentives in that the latter are assured the second a participant hits them. In Smith’s case, the $6 million in escalator cash he hit Sunday might be added onto the $10 million roster bonus he is set to make on March 16 offered he is nonetheless with the Seahawks as of that date.
Coach Mike Macdonald stated Smith was conscious of the escalators however was simply centered on successful the sport.
“He was like, I simply wish to go win,” Macdonald stated. “That’s all he cared about. He was superior all week. I’ll preserve our conversations personal however he was nice, man. He was superior. Awesome. All his focus all week was simply going out the proper manner and getting a tenth win.”
Smith, 34, might be eligible for a contract extension this offseason, one thing he needed final offseason however did not get because the Seahawks have a coverage of not re-doing offers which have a couple of 12 months left.
He was requested postgame what might be essential to him in negotiations.
“Those are issues that I’ll discuss to the folks I want to speak to about,” he stated. “I respect the query, however I wish to preserve numerous issues inside, in-house, with respects to everyone concerned. I believe it is one of the best ways to do it.”
Smith finishes with 21 landing passes to fifteen interceptions. He referenced the interceptions whereas praising the job Macdonald did in his first 12 months as a head coach, saying, “I made numerous silly errors and he had my again your entire time.”
First-year offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb has come below fireplace largely due to Seattle’s underperforming run recreation. Smith gave a robust endorsement of his play-caller, whose job safety has been known as into query.
“I believe Grubb is a wonderful, glorious coordinator,” he stated. “Even higher man. Our first 12 months, clearly there was some ups and downs, there was some issues we are able to enhance on. We’ll work exhausting to get these issues mounted, however I imagine on this system. I imagine it is a actually good system and it’ll be actually good for a very long time.
“I believe Grubb has precisely what it takes to be an amazing coordinator on this league and it is his first 12 months, you have to give the man some grace. He’s figuring issues out too. I assumed he did an impressive job main the group. I like the eagerness that he brings to the sport and he made me a greater quarterback.”
