The Seattle Seahawks may be in the market for a new quarterback, with Geno Smith potentially on the way out. One option that has been suggested is Philadelphia Eagles QB Jalen Hurts, who may be looking for a fresh start after a disappointing season. While there is no clear indication that Hurts wants out, he could be a good fit for the Seahawks if the new head coach sees potential in him. However, there are some financial and contractual considerations to take into account, as well as the need to give up draft capital to acquire him.
Florio reports that Hurts is set to receive $82 million, fully guaranteed, over the next two years, equating to $41 million per year. This amounts to an average of $44.33 million over the next three years. The question remains whether the Seahawks can afford this.
Currently, Seattle has a deficit of $-4,027 in cap space for the 2024 offseason, according to Spotrac. However, by releasing or trading Smith, Lockett, and Adams, and restructuring Metcalf, general manager John Schneider can quickly free up $33 million in salary cap space. This would allow for Hurts’ $13.5 million cap hit next season.
The more challenging question is whether signing Hurts would be a wise football decision. Tim Crean, who covers the NFL for Heavy.com, focuses on the Seattle Seahawks. He has written about sports since 2016, covering the NFL, NBA, soccer, sports media, and more, with bylines at ClutchPoints, Sportscasting, and The NIL Deal.
