Source AP: Seahawks and Smith reach 3-year deal

RENTON, Wash. (AP) — The Seattle Seahawks have reached a three-year deal with quarterback Geno Smith that will see the AP Comeback Player of the Year winner stay in the Northern Pacific.

Two people familiar with the contract confirmed to The Associated Press that the parties reached an agreement on Monday. Smith will likely continue as a starter with the Seahawks and receive his first big contract.

The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the deal was not announced. NFL Network and The Score reported the deal could reach up to $105 million.

The deal came a day before the league’s deadline to use the franchise tag. Smith would have become an unrestricted free agent when the league’s calendar year begins next week.

Smith is one of the positive stories in the league after being given a starting opportunity after nearly a decade as a substitute and changing the course of his career. Smith led the Seahawks 9-8 and qualified for the playoffs with a wild card in the NFC.

He passed for a career-high 4,282 yards, a franchise record. He threw for 30 touchdowns, with just 11 interceptions, completing 399 passes to lead the NFL in completions at 69.8%.

Smith was selected for the Pro Bowl and received an MVP vote.

Smith struggled in the second half of the season as Seattle fell off the top of the NFC West. But he’s had a good enough season to meet one of Seattle’s biggest unknowns for years to come.

“We have our boy, we have to work through the situation so that he stays with us. Of course you have to negotiate, but there is no limit to what we can do. The sky is the limit”, coach Pete Carroll said after the season.

Last season was Smith’s first start since 2014 with the New York Jets. He was benched after struggling with the Jets, then found work as a backup with the Giants and Chargers before coming to Seattle as a backup for Russell Wilson.