The Las Vegas Raiders have traded for quarterback Geno Smith. Smith reunites with his former Head Coach Pete Carroll, who played with him in Seattle for four seasons. In return, the Raiders are sending a 2025 third round pick to the Seahawks.
What This Means for the Raiders
The Raiders have found their short-term answer at quarterback. Smith is 34 years old, but playing at a high level. In 2024 he put up 4,320 yards for 21 touchdowns and 15 interceptions. He is a two-time pro bowler and can provide steady QB play in Las Vegas, something they didn’t have last season. Smith has just one year left on his three-year, $75 million deal. The Raiders have plenty of cap space, so paying him this season is no issue.
Although this may seem like Smith was brought in to be a bridge quarterback, that’s not the case. The Raiders are planning to give him an extension anywhere between $40-$45 million per year. It seems like Carroll and the Raiders’ front office view Smith as their franchise guy.
Geno Smith and Pete Carroll are running it back 🔥 pic.twitter.com/aFcyGID4K4
— B/R Gridiron (@brgridiron) March 8, 2025
The Raiders still have many holes to fill, but they have found their QB1. This likely takes the Raiders out of contention for a quarterback in the upcoming draft.
What This Means for the Seahawks
It seems like Mike Macdonald is blowing it up in Seattle. In the past 72 hours the Seahawks have released Tyler Lockett, allowed DK Metcalf to find a trade, and traded away Geno Smith. Seattle saves $25 million with the trade, with just over $13 million in dead cap.
With the Smith trade the Seahawks are now prime candidates for a new passer. And rumors are floating around that they have their sights set on Sam Darnold. Darnold is set to hit free agency, and is the top quarterback option.
As Sam Darnold is set to become a free agent next week, he now is expected to have another option available to him: the Seattle Seahawks, who are trading Geno Smith to the Raiders.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 8, 2025
The Seahawks finished 2024 with a 10-7 record but just missed out on the post season. It’s clear that Seattle didn’t view Geno Smith as their guy to get them there. With all the moves Seattle is trying to stay competitive while getting younger. If the Seahawks are able to get a first-round pick for Metcalf, they would be in a prime position to build an elite young offense.
How This Shakes Out
Now the Raiders finally have some direction. They haven’t won a playoff game since 2002 and now they have a guy Pete Carroll trusts to change that. In his two seasons as a full-time starter under Carroll, Smith passed for a combined 7,906 yards, 50 touchdowns and 20 interceptions. Expect the Raiders to now get weapons for their new QB.
For the Seahawks it’s a new era, which isn’t uncommon with head coach changes. And with newly-hired offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak taking over the play-calling duties, it seemed he wanted a change. The Seahawks will look completely different in 2025.
It’s also worth mentioning Kubiak has coached Darnold in the past, so a reunion wouldn’t be a surprise.
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