Geno Smith And The Bucs
March 6th, 2023
Seattle QB Geno Smith.
The next couple of days could be significant for who will be the Bucs quarterback come September.
There was a ton of buzz about Kyle Trask coming from Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht and Bucs coach Todd Bowles last week in Indianapolis.
But dang near every time Trask’s name was mentioned by the two Bucs shot-callers, the word “compete” was included in the same sentence. Even Licht busted out laughing when, during his recorded session with the #NFLMedia, he was asked if Trask had already been gifted the starting spot.
Licht and Bowles also discussed bringing in a veteran signal-caller. Bowles said he wants two.
Joe believes Bucs fans should be monitoring the situation in Seattle.
The Seahawks have until the end of business day tomorrow, Tuesday, to slap the franchise tag on starting Seattle quarterback Geno Smith. Say what you will about Smith, but he did lead Seattle to the playoffs in 2022.
Smith also led the NFL last season in completion percentage at 69.8 percent.
Of course, new Bucs offensive coordinator Dave Canales was Smith’s position coach and passing game coordinator there. Joe could easily see the Bucs signing Smith if he gets on the open market.
If Smith is franchised, that’s some $32 million Seattle would have to him for 2023. That seems awfully steep for a guy who had only one decent season since he was drafted by the Jets in 2013.
Reminder: Smith was Bowles’ backup for two seasons in New York.
March 6th, 2023 at 4:13 am
Pass
March 6th, 2023 at 4:54 am
No Geno!!
March 6th, 2023 at 5:35 am
I’d rather sign Antonio Brown and train him at QB.
March 6th, 2023 at 5:41 am
I’d take him
March 6th, 2023 at 5:55 am
There are the rare QB’s in the NFL who can carry a team to an SB. Bucs fans obviously got to enjoy one of them until he finally retired this year.
Mahomes and Burrows come quickly to mind, several more contenders emerge but that are not that many in the league.
There are however a number of Brad Johnsons, Trent Dilfers, Rich Gannons et all who have enough talent and smarts to “lead” a team to the promised land if not “carry” them.
Geno Smith is a guy who perhaps fits that mold. Good enough to “lead” a team to success, not so great he can “carry” one. Right now IMHO the Bucs simply need to find the leader if not another guy who can “carry”.
March 6th, 2023 at 6:15 am
Nah.
March 6th, 2023 at 6:17 am
stpete’s got the right idea. the modern NFL is so enamored with star quarterbacks they’ve forgotten how to find one that’s good enough.
March 6th, 2023 at 6:21 am
If you sign him then he will be the starter and Trask won’t get an opportunity. Unless you think we have the cash to gift a backup $25+ mil per year.
March 6th, 2023 at 6:25 am
Just saying. Yes, to all things Geno.
March 6th, 2023 at 6:52 am
Just say no.
March 6th, 2023 at 6:55 am
Roll with Trask. If he does not workout the Bucs will have the top pick the next draft AND they can hire a NEW head coach.
March 6th, 2023 at 6:57 am
Rod Munch: “Trask didn’t pick up the offense very quickly.”
Bucs QB Coach Clyde Christensen: “He PICKED IT UP PRETTY DARN QUICKLY. He’s a SMART KID who KNOWS WHAT HE’S DOING. I like where he’s at. He DOES A LOT OF GOOD STUFF RIGHT NOW TO BE THIS EARLY.”
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Rod Munch: “Trask doesn’t have much of an NFL arm.”
Bucs Coach Bruce Arians: “We’re in good hands with Kyle Trask. He’s got all the size, HE’S GOT THE ARM, he’s got the stature of what we like. And he’s mobile.”
NFL.Com Scouting Report: “TRASK CLEARLY HAS THE ARM STRENGTH. CAN DELIVER DEEP THROWS WITH OUTSTANDING TOUCH. ARM STRENGTH TO WHIP FIELD-SIDE DEEP OUTS WITH NO ISSUES. CAN ATTACK ONE-ON-ONES AND PLACE DEEP THROW WHERE IT NEEDS TO GO.”
March 6th, 2023 at 6:58 am
I’m with Bucfan. Roll with Trask.
March 6th, 2023 at 7:18 am
Might as well send in Gabbert.
March 6th, 2023 at 7:20 am
Fix the cap, go younger and faster, and see what Trask is made of.
If Trask is a fail, go QB in 2024 with a cleaner cap.
2024 is a transitional year for this team no matter how casuals think differently.
March 6th, 2023 at 7:23 am
While it seems unlikely that Seattle will franchise Geno Smith at a price that clearly exceeds his value, it also seems unlikely that Smith will be willing to work on a cheap contract that the Bucs can afford for “competition”.
Considering how little the Bucs spent on backups in recent years – on the order of a couple million a year – I don’t see them being willing to cough up $15-30 million for someone who is only a proven backup.
March 6th, 2023 at 7:33 am
What Duane said. If the Seahawks don’t sign Smith, whatever number we sign him with will still be significantly higher than what Trask is making. Which immediately makes him the defacto starting quarterback. We’re not signing him for even 15 million a year to back up Kyle. And he will get more than 15 mil per year. See what Trask has and move forward. They will always say the super bowl is the goal, but no one with a brain thinks that’s where we’re headed this year.
March 6th, 2023 at 7:39 am
Yay. A 2013 Jets reunion. Just what everyone was hoping for.
March 6th, 2023 at 7:43 am
It’s Trask’s job to lose! Of course they will sign a low cost veteran to compete along with using a mid round pick on a rookie QB to develop. This is the natural way of filling out the roster. Don’t miss read this as a lack of confidence in Trask. You are never going to have only one QB on the roster. That veteran will not be Geno Smith. After last year he will command too much to fit under the salary cap for the BUCS. Joe knows this so why float unrealistic possibilities? And it’s not going to be Carr or Garoppolo either! Can we please keep our speculation realistic! More likely Drew Lock who already knows Canales terminology and system or a retread like Mayfield, Darnold or Brissett. Just hope they stay away from Wentz who clearly has something going on mentally.
March 6th, 2023 at 7:46 am
@Bucboy:
I am ok with you being a supporter of Trask. But let’s not act like all the Trask reports have been positive. Has he even looked very good in any preseason game.
From NFL.com
Weaknesses:
Appeared to favor left knee, affecting follow-through.
Pocket setup is slower and labored.
Footwork gets sloppy and bouncy inside pocket.
Deliberate release will not tolerate slow reads through progressions.
So, to me when evaluating Trask, you must also include his poor deliberate release and his slower and labored setup.
Todd Bowles told WDAE radio after a practice. “… Obviously, he has some things to learn. It’s tough to play against a bunch of coverages in practice in the first time, being our defense.”
Last year’s off season: “It buys him another year to develop and watch the best in the business do his deal,” Christensen said. “It’s like a redshirt year. It is the best thing that could have happened to him. I think he will tell you he needs another year.
“Kyle has always been that kind of slow, steady developer in high school and in college. And I think this follows in line with exactly that. I see it more as a learning year.
March 6th, 2023 at 7:51 am
Say what you will Geno is the best quarterback to run Canales offense. I would not mind to see him with a 2 or 3 year contract but if they do a couple of big salaries will have to go. We will see!
March 6th, 2023 at 8:34 am
We can bring in competition for Trask without breaking the bank…….Geno will go to a team with some money….we don’t have it.
Go with Trask……if you want him to compete….bring in Gabbert.
March 6th, 2023 at 10:18 am
I thought we agreed there won’t be a mega-million QB coming this year. Where’s the money coming from? It’s pretty clear from Jason and Todd that the team is not breaking the bank for anyone, not even a QB. The cap situation is serious and needs to be fixed as they restock the roster. Also, Geno Effing Smith? One year of success and he’s gonna be way overpaid… Who wants to be THAT sucker?
March 6th, 2023 at 1:33 pm
Rather Winston
March 6th, 2023 at 3:10 pm
I watched Geno a few times last year, and he looked in command of that offense. Like the Seahawks, we have two star receivers and a decent O line. With Dave Canales coming to fix the offense, it would make a lot of sense for Geno to join if the Seahawks won’t pay him. I do not think he has earned himself a lot of guaranteed money though. Something like $35 million guaranteed while averaging about $20 million a season would be okay with me for a guy who could potentially solve our QB problem for the next 5 years.
March 6th, 2023 at 3:42 pm
^^ $35 million isn’t a lot of guaranteed money?
March 6th, 2023 at 4:35 pm
@sasquatch
Not for a QB. Look at what quarterbacks are making. Derek Carr just got $100 guaranteed coming off a terrible year, and an average year before that.
March 6th, 2023 at 6:33 pm
Jeebs the Honey Bear Says:
March 6th, 2023 at 4:35 pm
I know what they’re getting paid. A ridiculous amount of money. Cap crushing numbers. Guaranteeing that much money to someone who has only performed well for one year? Outlandish money.
And now it’s being reported that they Seahawks are signing him for 3 years and 105 million. I mean, whatever, that’s the NFL now. It sucks, but they didn’t ask me.
I’d cap individual player salaries league-wide at no more than 10 percent of their team’s cap. This is ridiculous.