Geno Smith, Raiders
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Former Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith reacting in the middle of an OTA practice.
Party like it’s 2013.
Geno Smith has returned to the New York Jets following a trade with the Las Vegas Raiders on Tuesday, March 10. Smith sat down for a 30-minute interview with NFL Insider Josina Anderson and had a message for the detractors.
“Here I am at another pivotal point in my career, where I guess you can say they’re writing me off again. I don’t know if I can use that quote again,” Smith says with a laugh.
“I don’t really care too much about the outside noise, but I do understand that narratives are being created. Not everyone is going to be a fan of this move. There are going to be naysayers out there as there always is, but who cares about them? I’m looking forward to building with the people who believe, and those people are the ones I want to win for,” Smith told Anderson.
Paul Andrew Esden Jr
New #Jets QB @GenoSmith3 has a message for the naysayers out there:
‘Not everyone is going to be a fan of this move. There are going to be naysayers, as there always is, but who cares about them? I’m looking forward to building with the people who believe & those are the people
Smith Admits He Has a Chip on His Shoulder
The former West Virginia product is coming off one of the worst years of his career. He led the league in interceptions (17) and finished with a 2-13 record as a starting quarterback with the Raiders.
“I was hoping that the Raiders would give me a chance to kind of weigh my options, which they did, and ultimately I decided that I wanted to go back to New York. It’s a place that I have really held close to my heart. It’s the place that gave me my first opportunity, and they drafted me with the 39th pick. I still have the pictures up in my office. I look at them every day,” Smith told Anderson.
“It’s a part of my journey and my story. So to come back here, to go back to New York — I got a huge chip on my shoulder, and I know that AG [Aaron Glenn] does as well. I wanted to align myself with a coach who has something to prove, and I believe that’s what he is,” Smith added.
Paul Andrew Esden Jr
You love to hear this!
New #Jets QB @GenoSmith3 told @JosinaAnderson that he has a ‘huge chip’ on his shoulder & he ‘knows AG does as well. I wanted to align myself with a coach who has something to prove & I believe that is what he is.’
🎥 The Exhibit #JetUp
FULL SHOW:
Smith Could Have Stayed in Las Vegas
The veteran QB revealed to Anderson during their interview that he had a chance to stay with the Raiders this offseason in a “mentor role.”
However, he believes that he is still one of the “better quarterbacks” in the league, and he wants to prove it.
Smith said he wanted to go to a team that believes in him, and the Jets jumped on his radar. Head coach Aaron Glenn got on the phone with Smith and sold him on the plan and his vision for him.
Insider Explains What Went Down With the Trade
The Raiders owed Smith $18.5 million in guaranteed money in 2026. If he was released, Smith was set to sign for the veteran minimum ($1.3 million).
Las Vegas will instead pay $16.2 million, the Jets will pay $3.3 million, and Smith will get $19.5 million in 2026, per NFL Insider Albert Breer.
Here is how it all worked: the Raiders saved a little bit of money, moved up in the draft, and the Jets ensured that they got their QB they wanted.
According to Spotrac, the Jets gave up the No. 208 overall pick in the sixth round in exchange for Smith and the No. 228 overall pick in the seventh round in April’s draft.
Spotrac
#NFL TRADE #Jets Acquire 2026 7th-Rd Pick (#228) QB Geno Smith #Raiders Acuire 2026 6th-Rd Pick (#208)
The Raiders retain $16.2M of salary, freeing up $10.3M of cap space. The Jets take on Smith at an updated $3.3M cost for the 2026 season.
All in all, the Jets still have 10 total picks in the 2026 NFL draft.
Paul Andrew Esden Jr
Here is the UPDATED treasure chest of picks the #Jets have in the 2026 #NFLDraft (post Geno Smith #Raiders trade).
NYJ still has 10 overall picks, but they flipped late rounders w/ Las Vegas.
ICYMI they added 2 comp picks.
Here are all the details: #JetUp #RaiderNation
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