The Seattle Seahawks have re-signed their quarterback Geno Smith to a three-year, $105 million deal extension - taking another quarterback off the market as teams wait on Aaron Rodgers' final decision.
Rodgers recently completed a 'darkness retreat' while he considers what to do next in his NFL career. The Green Bay Packers star will likely either request a trade away from the franchise or retire.
Smith, on the other hand, had an incredible 2022 season when he played as one of the better quarterbacks in the NFL after being benched and a back-up for seven years. The 32-year-old had been a back-up behind Russell Wilson for three years before being given the starting spot after Wilson had been traded away to the Denver Broncos.
It came just hours after the New Orleans Saints announced that they had signed former Las Vegas Raiders starter Derek Carr to a four-year deal, who the New York Jets had huge interest in after meeting him.
The Jets will now have to look elsewhere, and with the teams already looking planning to draft a quarterback in the upcoming class next month, certain teams may now be forced to make a move for the likes of Rodgers. The legendary Green Bay Packers is said to be available for two first-round draft picks, with the franchise potentially taking less at this point.
With no clear path to drafting a quarterback, the Jets may now have to decide between given up assets for Rodgers, or signing Jimmy Garoppolo as a free agent.
With a win now roster, many would argue that Rodgers would be the way to go, with it being a great fit for the quarterback, too, playing behind a strong offensive line and emerging superstar at wide receiver in Garrett Wilson.
The Las Vegas Raiders have also been linked with Rodgers, but while all reports suggest the Raiders will look to draft their starter, they now may not be able to do that with all four highly-touted quarterbacks impressing at the scouting combine and now being projected to go within the first five picks.
The Seahawks are one of those teams picking in the top five, with some suggesting that they will now not draft a quarterback after extending Smith... which isn't necessarily true.
Smith's extension looks to be a frontloaded deal, with NFL insider Ian Rapoport reporting that Smith will make as much as $52 million in his first season. This, meaning the Seahawks could look to get out of the contract after a year or two, with many believing the team will still draft a quarterback with the fifth overall draft pick.
That's good news for Rodgers, with another team set to miss out on drafting a quarterback, and potentially making a move for the 39-year-old to secure their plans for the 2023 season.
