Raiders Find Their QB, Trade for Geno Smith

The Las Vegas Raiders have acquired their new starting quarterback.

Former Seattle Seahawks QB Geno Smith is headed to Vegas in exchange for a third-round pick. There were rumblings the Raiders were interested in adding a veteran QB to their roster. In the one of the first shocking moves of the offseason, Smith will be the Vegas’ starter heading into 2025.

Smith, 34, took over as Seattle’s starter three years ago. It was his first starting gig since 2014 — his second season in the league. Smith exceeded all expectations for a Seahawks team that bid farewell to longtime starter Russell Wilson in the preceding offseason. He set a new career-high in touchdowns (30) and led the NFL in completion percentage (69.8). Smith led the Seahawks to a playoff berth, earned his first Pro Bowl nod, and was named the NFL’s Comeback Player of the Year.

The Seahawks finished 10-7 last year but lost the division via a tiebreaker. They were the only team with double-digit wins to miss the playoffs. Smith completed 70.4-percent of his passes and had 21 TDs, but threw 15 INTs — only Kirk Cousins and Baker Mayfield had more.

Smith was entering the final year of the three-year, $75 million extension he inked in 2023. Reports have surfaced that the Seahawks recently offered Smith a new deal that would pay the QB around $40-45 million annually. Smith declined the offer and asked out.

It’s no surprise the Raiders ended up being the landing spot. Smith will reunite with his former head coach, Pete Carroll. Smith was a Pro Bowler both years under Carroll. He’ll also link up with offensive coordinator Chip Kelly. Kelly recruited Smith when the former was still head coach at the University of Oregon. Last year, Kelly was the OC at Ohio State where Geno’s cousin — WR Jeremiah Smith — starred.

Vegas’ quarterback play was among the league’s worst last year. Gardner Minshew was brought in to provide some stability but had his worst season to date. He was released before free agency. Before the Smith acquisition, the No. 1 quarterback on the Raiders’ depth chart was third-year passer Aidan O’Connell — who projects as more of a high-end backup.

Most experts linked them to one of the rookie QBs, but the Raiders must have not liked their spot at pick No. 6. They either didn’t think one of the top QBs was going to fall to them, or they weren’t enamored with any of the possible options. Trading for Smith means they can build the rest of their roster through free agency. And, it allows them to spend a premium pick on another position of need.

First-year GM John Spytek makes his first big move as the Raiders’ top decision-maker. Vegas’ trio of Spytek, Carroll, and minority owner Tom Brady have extensive knowledge regarded top quarterback play. They identified Smith as a strong addition and will have him secured to a multi-year deal in the immediate future.

Meanwhile, Seattle wasted no time finding a replacement — inking former Viking Sam Darnold to a three-year, $110.5 million free-agent deal.