THE CHEAP SEATS with STEVE CAMERON: A team decision on Geno needs to be made

Will the Seahawks keep rockin’ with Geno Smith?

And.

Would that be by choice, or because there’s no feasible way to add a new QB1?

It’s a puzzle, not just to fans but also to John Schneider, Mike Macdonald and the rest of the club’s brain trust.

Macdonald insists that his new offensive coordinator (as yet unhired) will have a say in the quarterback decision.

Geno has managed to light up the Seahawks’ vast network of supporters — both positively and, umm, otherwise.

Five interceptions this past season on plays starting from the 20-yard line or closer can get the blood boiling.

Three years ago, when Geno was anointed as the starter following the departure of Russell Wilson, I talked to an AFC personnel director who provided a curious description of the Seahawks’ new leader.

“My God, Geno throws a beautiful ball,” he said. “He can spin the thing out there, any distance, and it just looks perfect.

“The problem is that, out of nowhere, Geno will fire one right to a linebacker or free safety — like the guy was invisible.

“I think he somehow has an interception gene, and it pops up at terrible times.”

THE HAWKS are in that strange position of having too much talent for a disastrous season — and the high draft choice that might yield a quarterback.

At the same time, there’s a nagging suspicion that Geno Smith is not the quarterback who can lead this group to the promised land.

Geno’s age and contract situation muddle the situation, too.

The quarterback will turn 35 in the middle of the 2025 season, the last in which he’s currently under contract with Seattle.

Smith has $16 million in bonus money coming, assuming he’s on the roster in March when the NFL league season starts.

According to OvertheCap.com, he will carry a cap hit of $44.6 million — and at the moment, the Seahawks would be $15.1 million over the projected cap.

Geno wants some real money, too, perhaps something like a three-year extension with about $100 million guaranteed.

Speaking of guarantees, his deal for this coming season is not locked in, so theoretically, the Seahawks could cut him before March.

There’s no question that Geno believes he’s played himself into a major-money deal.

He was asked after that 30-25 victory over the Rams if he considered himself one of the league’s elite quarterbacks, and he replied: “Yeah, I am. Yes.”

My view: Smith has contributed both excellence and frustration in his three years at the wheel.

The Seahawks are 28-24 with Geno as QB1, a record that looks decent.

But also, meh.

Those seasons include one NFC West title, but no playoff victories.

Meh.

Schneider and Macdonald are seeing the same thing we are, actually: A decent NFL quarterback who lacks the “it factor,” and will always be somewhere beneath the league’s elite level.

IF THE Seahawks were rebuilding and needed someone to hold the fort while they put pieces together, Geno might be the guy for 2-3 years.

But.

This team has dreams of a Super Bowl.

So, right away, Schneider and Macdonald have to ask: “Can Geno Smith take us all the way?”

It’s hard to picture, honestly.

Those interceptions (he had 15 this season, one short of the NFL worst) and repeated red zone troubles have plagued Geno throughout his career.

By the way, the two QBs who had 16 picks were Kirk Cousins and Baker Mayfield.

Cousins wound up benched in Atlanta, and Mayfield threw 41 TD passes for the Bucs.

Geno managed 21 touchdown throws, but four of those came in the last game against the Rams’ junior varsity.

Neither the eye test nor the numbers suggest Geno can bring a Super Bowl to Seattle.

Macdonald was complimentary (but careful) when offering his thoughts on hooking his wagon to Geno Smith.

“I want Geno to be here,” Macdonald said. “I think he’s a heck of a player.

“The first thing it always comes back to is, what’s best for the team? I feel like Geno is the best for the team right now.”

But.

“Ultimately, it’s not my decision,” Macdonald said. “It’s a Seahawks decision.”

That, my friends, was a classic method of escaping some heat if Geno is sent packing.

Coach Mac has covered his backside, either way.

I think if the Hawks felt good about another available quarterback, via trade (Vikings’ J.J. McCarthy), draft or reclamation project, they’d jump at a change.

They’d like to move on from Geno.

But.

Email: scameron@cdapress.com

Steve Cameron’s “Cheap Seats” columns appear in The Press three times each week, normally Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday unless, you know, stuff happens.

Steve suggests you take his opinions in the spirit of a Jimmy Buffett song: “Breathe In, Breathe Out, Move On.”