Veteran quarterback Geno Smith said Friday that contract extension talks with the Seattle Seahawks are progressing well.
"We've had talks, and we're in the process of getting all that settled right now," Smith told SiriusXM. "It's looking very good. We think we can get some things done, but obviously, those things take time. This is the process that I hate about the NFL because I just want to play football. But it's a business as well, so we've got to take care of business, and then we'll get back to the football."
Smith and Seattle both publicly expressed interest in signing a new deal following the signal-caller's impressive 2022 season.
"I love Seattle," the 32-year-old added, according to ESPN's Brady Henderson. "We have a great relationship, and I think we'll work things out. When it comes to contracts, I think every player just wants to get paid his worth. ... Your contract just wants to say, 'We respect you, we understand what you bring to the table, we understand what caliber of player you are, and we appreciate you.'"
Smith, who was a backup in Seattle in 2020 and 2021, was given a chance to compete for the starting job with Drew Lock last offseason after the Seahawks traded Russell Wilson to the Denver Broncos. Not only did Smith beat out Lock for the No. 1 role, but he went on to post an NFL-high 69.8% completion rate with 4,282 yards and 30 touchdowns against 11 interceptions.
Smith also earned the first Pro Bowl berth of his career while helping Seattle reach the playoffs with a 9-8 record.
"I really wanted to prove those guys right," Smith said. "Coach (Pete) Carroll, (general manager) John Schneider, just how much faith they showed in me. Trading away Russell Wilson - it had nothing to do with me - but just trading away the franchise cornerstone for 10 years and then making a transition. And a guy like myself who had been written off, being on the bench, and for them to see the work that I've been putting in ... meant a lot to me."
Smith played on a one-year, $3.5-million contract in 2022.