“That’s a tough question, and it’s one that I probably can’t answer right now.” – Mike Macdonald on whether Geno Smith and Drew Lock will be on the team

Mike Macdonald seemed to answer the question raised by the Seahawks’ conversion of Geno Smith’s bonus last week: A trade is not off the table.

In an interview aired Sunday, KCPQ’s Aaron Levine asked the new coach, “Are Geno Smith and Drew Lock both involved in the future of this team going forward?”

Macdonald said, “That’s a tough question, and it’s one that I probably can’t answer right now. We’re doing a lot of work on those guys.

“Right now we’re in the phase of figuring out who they are. Obviously one or two or both would fit into our plan moving forward, but right now I probably don’t have that answer for you.”

At the Combine two days later, John Schneider also was noncommittal, saying Smith is “the starter until he’s not.”

As for the bonus conversion, Schneider said people made a bigger deal out of it than needed. “He was going to be here. It was just a matter of: When are we going to tell him we are doing this with his roster bonus?”

So basically Schneider has guaranteed nothing about Smith, saying, “He was going to be here … until he’s not.”

Odds still seem pretty good that Smith will be the starter in 2024, but it’s obvious the Hawks are open to trading him.

They will not be cutting him, not after paying him $9.6 million. Simply releasing him would absorb a $13.3 million cap hit. But he could be traded at a cost of just $600,000 more.

The Hawks created $4.8 million in space by paying him that bonus. If they get an offer that nets them a Day 2 pick and another choice, they could look at it as a good investment.

The QB-go-round

About eight teams have quarterback questions. And there are perhaps six clear solutions: top draft prospects Caleb Williams, Drake Maye and Jayden Daniels plus veteran starters Kirk Cousins, Baker Mayfield and Russell Wilson.

Justin Fields could be in the mix if Chicago decides to trade him and draft Williams, but that is still six QBs for eight needy teams – which is why Adam Schefter reported someone could come courting Schneider for Smith, a top-15 QB who is even more affordable now that the Hawks paid the bonus.

Mayfield seems likely to stay with Tampa Bay, and Williams, Maye and Daniels are likely to go 1-2-3 to Chicago, Washington and New England (or any teams that take their spots via trade).

Barring any trades, that would leave Minnesota, Atlanta, Las Vegas, Denver and Pittsburgh all needing quarterback help and Cousins, Fields and Wilson the top options.

Will the Vikings and the 35-year-old Cousins (recovering from a torn Achilles) agree on another deal or part ways after six years? If they split, the Vikings might want to consider a deal for Smith, who ran the same Sean McVay offense that Kevin O’Connell took from the Rams to the Vikings.

The Falcons are the betting favorite to land Fields. But what if the Raiders, Steelers or Broncos beat them out and Cousins and Wilson are not available or affordable? Then maybe Smith becomes an option.

With Raheem Morris as coach and Zac Robinson as OC, the Falcons also are running the same Rams offense Smith ran in Seattle. It would be an easy transition.

If the Vikings and Falcons are not options, that would leave the Raiders, Steelers and Broncos.

The Raiders and Steelers have good defenses and could use capable veteran quarterbacks to get them into the playoffs. There are conflicting reports about whether the Steelers are open to upgrading over Kenny Pickett, but they should be.

Wilson likely would end up with one of those teams – possibly at the minimum salary as Denver pays him $39 million in guarantees in 2024. The Steelers are the betting favorite.

The official decision has not been announced, but Denver obviously is moving on from Wilson and Sean Payton will be looking for his next Drew Brees. At the Combine, Payton said, “We’d better (find a QB). … Our job is to make sure this next one (doesn’t fail).”

You have to think Payton will want a veteran, just as he had in New Orleans with Brees. But it’s a bit of a stretch to think Broncos GM George Paton would make another trade for a Seattle QB, isn’t it?

What if Schneider does manage to get a good deal for Smith? Who would replace him?

Some hope the Seahawks might try to trade for Fields themselves, but that seems unlikely. Fields is entering the final year of his rookie contract and brings a lot of questions regarding ability and value. Other teams seem likely to offer more than Schneider would be willing to, even if Macdonald had an interest.

Macdonald and Ryan Grubb have mentioned Lock because they know Smith might not be with them, and Schneider will be talking to the backup’s agent in Indy this week as he feels out Smith trade possibilities.

As Schneider said, Smith is the starter “until he’s not.”