In a stunning move that has rocked the NFL and left the Pacific Northwest reeling, fan-favorite quarterback Geno Smith is officially no longer a Seattle Seahawk, having signed with a division rival in a bombshell free agency twist that few saw coming.
The 2022 Comeback Player of the Year and longtime face of the Seahawks’ post-Russell Wilson era has agreed to a two-year deal with the San Francisco 49ers, a stunning development fueled by contract complications and a rapidly shifting quarterback situation in Seattle.
The deal is reportedly worth $38 million, with $24 million guaranteed, and includes performance bonuses that could push the total over $45 million. Smith is expected to compete for the starting job immediately, with the 49ers eyeing him as a veteran option to stabilize the quarterback room amid lingering questions around injuries and consistency.
A Shocking Exit From Seattle
Smith’s departure comes after months of quiet tension behind the scenes. Sources close to the organization revealed that Seattle and Smith’s camp struggled to agree on guaranteed money and long-term security after the 2024 season, where Smith posted solid numbers but the team fell short of the playoffs.
The Seahawks recently added a rookie QB in the draft and showed signs of leaning toward a youth movement — something Smith reportedly viewed as a sign his time in Seattle was nearing an end.
“Geno gave everything to this franchise,” a source close to Smith said. “But at the end of the day, he wanted a situation where he was valued and had the chance to win now.”
🔥 From Beloved Leader to Rival Threat
Smith’s move to San Francisco adds even more fuel to the already-heated NFC West rivalry. Once hailed as the unlikely hero who revived the Seahawks’ offense and won over fans with his poise, leadership, and underdog grit, he now suits up in red and gold — and is set to face Seattle twice a year.
Seahawks fans have taken to social media in a wave of emotional responses — gratitude, heartbreak, and disbelief flooding timelines as one of the team’s most beloved figures takes on a new challenge.
The Seahawks released a short statement:
“We thank Geno for everything he brought to our organization — on the field and in the locker room. He’ll always be part of the Seahawks family.”
With Geno gone, the spotlight in Seattle now turns to rookie quarterback Tyler Grayson and veteran Drew Lock, both expected to compete for the starting job in training camp. Head coach Mike Macdonald now faces the challenge of retooling the offense while ushering in a new era under center.
Meanwhile, Geno Smith is wasting no time embracing his next chapter. He posted a brief but pointed message on X (formerly Twitter):
“New city, same chip on my shoulder. Let’s go to work. #Niners”
A shocking exit. A new rivalry ignited. The NFL just got a whole lot more interesting.
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