Dawgs By Nature
NFL free agency, trade market could be more interesting if Matthew Stafford, Geno Smith, Kirk Cousins are there
In the NFL, there are generally three types of teams: 1) Don’t have a starting QB, 2) Have an adequate starting QB and 3) Have a great starting QB. The Cleveland Browns have straddled the line between the first and second one and thought trading for Deshaun Watson would bring them the third.
Now, once again, the Browns are looking for their next starting quarterback which could come in the upcoming NFL draft, through NFL free agency or a trade.
Kirk Cousins has seemed like the most likely option while Matthew Stafford has entered the conversation but Geno Smith and Derek Carr were noted as options in our initial offseason rumors piece.
Many were surprised to see Smith and Carr listed but the Seattle Seahawks starter seemingly hinted at his departure on Monday:
(If it happens to get deleted, Smith posted the GIF of LeBron James grabbing his bag and walking out of a room that can be seen here.)
While Smith is not considered in the tier 3 “great QB” range, he would clearly be an upgrade in Cleveland even if it is as a bridge quarterback. The 34-year-old has spent the last five years in Seattle with a resurgence coming in 2022 when he completed a career-high 70% of his passes for over 4,200 yards.
Last year, leading the Seahawks to a 10-7 record and threw for a career-high 4,320 yards.
Smith has one year left on his contract with a $16 million roster bonus and a base salary of just under $15 million. Seattle would save $31 million by releasing or trading him before June 1st.
Would you want the Browns to trade for Smith? If so, what would you give up? If Smith becomes a free agent, what kind of contract do you think he would deserve on an average yearly basis?
