The Seattle Seahawks are trading starting quarterback Geno Smith to the Las Vegas Raiders for a third-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, per multiple sources.
It's a massive domino that will have ripples throughout the rest of the league as free agency kicks off in just a few days, with a veteran signal-caller changing teams.
So, what does this move mean for the teams involved as they look ahead to the rest of the offseason, particularly in this year's draft?
For the Raiders, it gives them an immediate upgrade at the game's most important position, allowing them more freedom as they prepare for the draft. Currently sitting at the No. 6 overall pick in the first round, the Raiders were pegged by many as a potential landing spot for Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders, but this move likely takes them out of that conversation.
Blockbuster: The #Seahawks are trading two-time Pro Bowl QB Geno Smith to the #Raiders for a 2025 third-round pick, sources tell The Insiders.
It's a reunion for Pete Carroll and Smith, who also is expected to get a new contract. And Seattle will need a new QB. pic.twitter.com/K5X0ZlvX66
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 7, 2025
Smith turns 35 years old in October, though, which means the Raiders could still look for a developmental prospect later in the draft, such as Alabama's Jalen Milroe, to give them a long-term solution after Smith hangs up his cleats down the road.
For the Seahawks, they now head into the draft with Sam Howell as the top quarterback on their depth chart. That makes quarterback the clear-cut top need on their offseason priority list, and that would remain the case even if star wide receiver DK Metcalf is traded, and following the release of veteran receiver Tyler Lockett.
It would make sense for Seattle to pursue a top free agent quarterback next week, and Sam Darnold would make a ton of sense if the Minnesota Vikings let him hit the open market. If they're not able to land a high-quality veteran to replace Smith, it would send them into the draft desperate for one of the top passers in a rather lackluster class.
For Smith, he reunites with former Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll, who is now in the big chair for the Raiders. The familiarity there should help make for a seamless transition for Smith, who instantly raises the floor for a team that had one of the worst quarterback situations in the league last year.
Related: 2025 NFL Mock Draft: Pre-Free Agency 4-Round Projections with Trades
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This story was originally published March 7, 2025 at 4:10 PM.