The Las Vegas Raiders cut ties with QB Geno Smith on Friday as the organization is set to make Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza the face of the franchise with the first pick in the upcoming NFL Draft.
The Raiders will reportedly release Smith by the start of the new league year, barring a last-second trade, according to ESPN's NFL insider Adam Schefter.
The 35-year-old quarterback spent just one season in Las Vegas after being acquired from the Seattle Seahawks last offseason. Now, Smith's options as a starter in the NFL might be limited to a pair of desperate teams.
ESPN's NFL commentator Kevin Clark suggested Smith's only realistic landing spots as a starter are the "hopeless" New York Jets and Miami Dolphins.
"The New York Jets, where your mission, if you choose to accept it, is frankly, job preservation," Clark said on NFL Live. "And in Miami, it might be to get (Texas QB) Arch Manning."
The AFC East rivals are both facing new quarterback situations heading into the 2026 season. The Jets parted ways with QB Justin Fields after a 3-14 campaign last season, while the Dolphins are hoping to trade or release QB Tua Tagovailoa at the start of the new league year.
Smith does have experience with the Jets after being drafted by the organization in 2013 and spending his first four seasons as a starter and backup with the team. However, like the Dolphins, the Jets likely view Smith as a bridge quarterback to get through the 2026 season and search for a franchise quarterback in next year's draft.
After three strong seasons as the starter and Seattle, Smith was dealt to Las Vegas for a third-round pick and agreed to a two-year, $75 million extension with the Raiders. The season did not unfold as planned, as Smith threw just 19 touchdowns while leading the NFL with 17 interceptions.
A reunion with the Jets might make the most sense for Smith, but the Dolphins could fight for the veteran quarterback's leadership in free agency.
2026 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.