Geno Smith, Raiders
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Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith reacting after an NFL game against the Seattle Seahawks.
The quarterback domino is set to fall for the New York Jets.
“So, from the latest conversations I’ve had is that it would be a surprise at this point if Geno Smith is not signing with the Jets, probably as soon as like Wednesday at 4:01 pm,” Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic stated on the “Flight Plan” podcast.
“They can’t technically do anything until Wednesday when the new league year starts,” Rosenblatt explained on the podcast. “It would be surprising at this point if Geno Smith is not the next Jets quarterback.”
“As of now, Geno Smith would be my pretty confident prediction as the next Jets quarterback,” Rosenblatt added.
Paul Andrew Esden Jr
Massive #Jets QB Free Agency Update:
‘The latest conversations I’ve had is that it would be a surprise at this point if Geno Smith is not signing with the Jets probably as soon as Wednesday at 4:01 pm,’ @ZackBlatt told @TimMMcMaster.
‘It would be surprising at this point if
Jets Have to Wait for the Raiders
NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport shared on social media that Las Vegas is “set to release” Geno Smith at the “start of the league year.”
That means Smith will become an unrestricted free agent on Wednesday, March 11, at 4 pm.
The Raiders haven’t officially announced that they are parting ways with Smith, which means the Jets and any other team that wants to talk to the veteran QB will have to wait until he is officially released.
The Miami Dolphins, unlike the Raiders, did officially announce that they were moving on from Tua Tagovailoa. That allowed Tagovailoa to speak with other teams immediately instead of having to wait for the new league year.
On Monday, March 9, he quickly found a new home, agreeing to a deal with the Atlanta Falcons, per ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter.
Jets Will Get a Starting Caliber QB at a Fraction of the Price
The Raiders still owe Smith $18.5 million guaranteed in 2026.
Due to that offset langauge whatever team that Smith signs with next would get him at a discount.
“He’ll almost certainly sign for a minimum salary,” Rosenblatt wrote. That contract would be a one-year deal for $1.3 million.
A Coming Home Story
Smith, 35, started his NFL career with the Jets back in 2013 as a second-round draft choice. He spent four years in New York.
It was an up-and-down tenure to say the least. Smith finished with a 12-18 record as the starting QB for the Jets.
Since leaving the green and white, his career has taken off. Over the last four years, Smith has thrown for 15,251 passing yards, has completed 68% of his passes, and has a 90 touchdown to 52 interception ratio.
Revealing the Jets’ Strategy at the QB Position
“From everything I was told, the Jets wanted to resolve their QB1 before they moved on to QB2. So if you thought they were going to sign Carson Wentz today or trade for Andy Dalton or whatever it is — they wanted to make sure they figured out QB1 first, and then okay, who is a good fit as the QB2 behind him,” Rosenblatt said on the “Flight Plan” podcast.
“I still think Carson Wentz is probably the most likely as of right now. The Panthers just signed Kenny Pickett, so they don’t really have any use for Andy Dalton there anymore. So I’m curious if they cut him. If they do, he becomes interesting,” Rosenblatt said.