“My objective is to play 20 years,” Smith mentioned throughout an interview with Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio. “My idol Kobe Bryant [and] one other idol of mine, Tom Brady, they each had been in a position to play 20 years. So, you realize, that’s one thing I’m chasing. Actually, I actually really feel like I can.”
2024 marks Smith’s twelfth season within the NFL, so he has a protracted option to go to succeed in his objective. His profession started with two underwhelming campaigns as a Jets starter, a span which was adopted by a number of years with out dealing with a full-time beginning gig. The previous second-rounder made solely 15 appearances and 5 begins from 2015-21, and it appeared at that time he wouldn’t handle to land one other alternative to steer an offense.
Following the commerce which despatched Russell Wilson out of Seattle, although, Smith was positioned to compete for the beginning gig with Drew Lock in 2022. The veteran wound up beginning each recreation and serving to information the Seahawks to the playoffs en path to a Professional Bowl nod and Comeback Participant of the 12 months honors. That earned him a brand new deal, though issues didn’t go as deliberate final 12 months, because the Seahawks went 9-8 and missed the playoffs.
This previous offseason, new head coach Mike Macdonald incrementally dedicated to Smith as Seattle’s starter over commerce acquisition Sam Howell. By way of the primary seven weeks of the 2024 marketing campaign, Seattle sits at 4-3 (ok for first within the NFC West) with Smith main the NFL in passing yardage, makes an attempt and completions (191-of-279 for 1,985).
The West Virginia product sought out an extension this summer season, however no talks on that front took place. As issues stand, he’s set to earn $25M subsequent 12 months, together with a assured base wage of $12.7M. A elevate in keeping with the QB market’s upward pattern wouldn’t come as a shock if Smith continued to ship stable performances this 12 months, whereas an extension would guarantee he remained within the Emerald Metropolis transferring ahead.
“I put together, I eat the correct issues and care for my physique so it permits me to nonetheless be quick at 34,” Smith added. “I assume I’m not purported to, I don’t know, however I believe once I’m in my forties I believe I’ll nonetheless be quick.”
With respect to when his enjoying profession does come to an finish, Smith famous he intends to return to his alma mater in a training capability. If all goes in accordance with plan, nonetheless, it is going to be a number of years till he begins his subsequent soccer chapter.
