The Las Vegas Raiders plan to release quarterback Geno Smith after his one year as the starter resulted in a 3-14 season, provided they can’t work out an unlikely trade in the next week.
With the Raiders poised to select Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL draft, parting ways with Smith represents a fresh start for both sides.
The move has been expected.
General manager John Spytek told reporters at the NFL combine last week that he had not been in communication with Smith.
“I have not talked to Geno since the season ended,” Spytek said. “I’ve seen videos of him training, and I know he’s feeling good. We’ll talk soon.”
New head coach Klint Kubiak, who briefly worked with Smith in Seattle last offseason before he was traded to theRaiders, had left the door open to keeping Smith under contract.
“(We’re) looking at all options right now,” he said last week in Indianapolis. “Watching Geno play last year, I’m obviously pretty familiar with what he had done before; putting all on the table right now, trying to see every possible avenue we can go next year at quarterback, and he’s definitely one of those options.”
One of those options is now off the table.
Releasing Smith opens up salary cap space for the Raiders, and barring a trade, the 35-year-old would hit free agency. The Raiders will take an $18 million dead cap hit, but save $8 million in cap space for this season should Smith be released before March 13.
“God is the GREATEST,” Smith posted on X minutes after reports surfaced of his pending release. “THANK U LORD.”
The Raiders acquired Smith last March from the Seattle Seahawks in exchange for a third-round draft pick and signed him to a two-year, $75 million contract extension. Smith proceeded to throw for 3,025 yards with 19 touchdowns and 17 interceptions in 15 games.