It is easy to see how all of the Seattle Seahawks' pursuits for a younger quarterback could hurt Geno Smith. 

But Seattle's head coach Pete Carroll doesn't think Smith is taking anything personally. 

Just a few weeks removed from signing Smith to a three-year $75 million extension to stay in Seattle, the Seahawks have been linked to several young quarterbacks ahead of April's NFL Draft. It is an action that could alienate Seattle's surprise star of 2022, but according to Carroll, Smith understands that it is part of the process. The quarterback knows football is also business, and the Seahawks are in the business of getting better. 

“I talked to Geno way back when,” Carroll said. “He knows what’s going on. I thought that was an obvious demonstration of respect, understanding that how he would look at it, and how other guys have looked at it in the past and all that. So I told him what we were doing and what the idea was, and what could happen. And he totally got it. Just like Geno has done throughout everything, he was totally on board. And if we get a guy, he’s going to take care of him and look after him. He gets it.”

Smith, 33, knows he isn't the long-term solution at quarterback. That reality factored into his team-friendly contract that screams bridge quarterback more than franchise savior. 

Thus, the Seahawks' brain trust doesn't feel bad about taking visits to see Florida's Anthony Richardson, taking a photo with Ohio State's C.J. Stroud, traveling across the country to see Alabama's Bryce Young, and Kentucky's Will Levis.

Even a recent ESPN NFL mock draft had Seattle drafting Tennessee's Hendon Hooker at the No. 5 pick. 

But Seattle still doesn't remain committed to showing its hand regarding a pending quarterback selection in the draft. 

When asked about the possibility of selecting a quarterback, Carroll uttered the phrase "we'll see what happens." 

It is almost certain that Smith is thinking the same.