Seahawks fans grade Geno Smith, DK Metcalf trades

Overwhelming approval for Sam Darnold, mixed reviews for Cooper Kupp

For a GM who whiffed on nearly every free agent signing in 2024, then used his second draft pick on a guard who couldn’t crack the lineup of the worst interior OL in the NFL, John Schneider would break down in tears if he saw that most of you approve of his dramatic second offseason.

Here are the results of this week’s Seahawks fan survey.

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Geno Smith trade grade: 49% B, 41% A

The Seahawks were able to trade their starting quarterback of the last three years for two key reasons outside of Schneider’s control:

• The Raiders hired Pete Carroll

• The Raiders missed their tiny window to trade for Matthew Stafford

If either of those things go in another direction, Seattle may have released Geno Smith outright or just held onto him. I doubt that the two sides would have ever made an extension agreement.

The Seahawks have now traded a starting quarterback twice in the last three years. This return is not close ot the one that Seattle got for Russell Wilson, obviously, but it’s maybe just as remarkable that the Seahawks got something for a quarterback who wasn’t even considered a starter in 2022.

Want to add anything else as to why you graded this trade like you did?

DK Metcalf trade grade: 60% A, 32% B

This is the most approved single move of the offseason for John Schneider: An overwhelming 60% of you voted “A” for trading DK Metcalf to the Steelers for a second round pick.

Let me know in the comments, how much of this grade had to do with the fact that Metcalf wanted a $30 million/year contract at age 28?

Sam Darnold signing grade: 48% A, 40% B

At this time in 2024, the Vikings signed Sam Darnold for $10 million and the move was met with a part skepticism, part “I think he’s actually kind of a decent quarterback” reaction.

A year later, Darnold gets a three-year, $100 million contract, but with only the first $37.5 million in 2025 as a guarantee.

Fans would have balked at putting this much faith into Darnold before his stint as Minnesota’s starter, but perhaps he’s at least proven to be as adequate as the quarterback in Seattle who he is replacing. If the relationship does not work out, the Seahawks can go back into the market in 2026 with no blood on their hands.

Cooper Kupp signing grade: 45% B, 27% A, 24% C

This is the least-approved move of Schneider’s offseason. I don’t think any fans dislike Cooper Kupp as a player, but are skeptical that he can:

• A) Play more than 14 games

• B) Produce like he did 3 years ago

• C) Be worth a 3-year, $45m contract (details to come)

Let’s just say that it’s a one year, $15 million investment…Surprisingly, this wouldn’t make Kupp one of the top-20 highest-paid receivers. Maybe it’s still more than he’s worth, but the Seahawks are getting a very rare work ethic in their locker room that they hope will rub off on some other players.

I touched on the DeMarcus Lawrence signing grade in a post on Friday: 46% B, 32% A, 19% C

Also a little mixed, but Lawrence is really not getting that much and is going to help a lot with run defense.

John Schneider offseason grade: 54% B, 29% A, 14% C

The end grade for Schneider’s pre-draft offseason moves is a solid B, maybe edging up to a B+.

It’s not easy to trade two of the most popular players on the team, cut another, make several risky free agent signings, and still get a passing grade even after the team has failed to win a postseason game in six years.

This approval — and cap space + draft capital — is something for Schneider to build off of going into the draft, but now he and Mike Macdonald have to prove that this idea works once we get to September.

Do you want more surveys?

I usually get a lot of positive remarks about the surveys, would you like them to be more frequent?

Seaside Joe 2208