The Las Vegas Raiders have answered the need for a new starting quarterback as they traded a third-round pick to the Seattle Seahawks for Geno Smith on Friday.
Here are some thoughts on the big move:
Carroll gets his guy:
New Las Vegas coach Pete Carroll and Smith are close. They were together in Seattle for four years and they have remained close. Smith has spoken very highly of Carroll. Both sides believe in each other. Their chemistry will get things get going in Las Vegas. Plus, there are several former Seattle assistants, including quarterbacks coach Greg Olson, who know and are comfortable with Smith. Raiders part owner Tom Brady, who was part of the quarterback evaluation process, reportedly is also on board with the Smith acquisition.
Didn’t like other veteran options:
Trading a top-100 pick for a quarterback shows the Raiders’ weren’t high on the other veteran options that could have come without draft-pick compensation in free agency such as Sam Darnold, Justin Fields, former Carroll quarterback Russell Wilson and Aaron Rodgers. Last week, the Raiders tried to trade for Matthew Stafford. This week, they pivoted to Smith.
Short-term answer:
The Raiders have gone the band-aid route the past two years after releasing nine-year starter Derek Carr with jimmy Garoppolo and Gardner Minshew. Smith, who turns 35 in October, will likely last more than a year in Las Vegas unlike Jimmy G. and Minshew. But he’s won’t be here for long. So, the Raiders will still have to find their long-term answer at the position.
Won’t be cheap:
Despite being a short-term answer, Smith won’t be cheap. The Raiders are losing a third-round pick and he reportedly wants a new contract, which the Raiders are expected to give him, which should come soon. He reportedly wants $45 million a year. The Raiders, who have about $80 million in salary-cap room, can afford it, but they will be spending big at the position with other needs an many pending defensive free agents.
Still look at draft:
Expect the Raiders to still look at the quarterbacks in the April draft. The top prospects in the draft are Miami’s Cam Ward and Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders. Las Vegas has the No. 6 overall pick in the draft. Jaxson Dart of Ole Miss had a strong performance at the NFL combine and could be a target. There was a report that the Raiders like Quinn Ewers of Texas and could try to trade up for Ward. The Raiders could also consider Will Howard of Ohio State, who played under new Las Vegas offensive coordinator Chip Kelly in 2024. At this point, it makes sense, that they will look at quarterbacks, starting on Day Two, where they have two picks.
Opens up No. 6 pick:
Without the need and pressure of drafting a quarterback at No. 6, the Raiders can one of their many other needs. Possible targets could be Michigan defensive tackle Mason Graham, Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty or Arizona wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan. So, this will help build the program quicker.
NFL: JAN 05 Seahawks at Rams DK Metcalf
Photo by Jordon Kelly/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Other Seattle players to join Smith in Las Vegas?
Carroll may not stop at Smith when it comes to building his Las Vegas program around former Seattle players. The Raiders have reportedly talked to the Seahawks about wide receiver DK Metcalf, who wants to be traded and they are a logical landing spot for receiver Tyler Lockett, who was released this week and is a Carroll favorite.
The Seahawks opened trade discussions with the Raiders with this blockbuster proposal—Geno Smith and DK Metcalf to Vegas for Maxx Crosby. Vegas QUICKLY shot that down, and told Seattle that Crosby was not available.
But talks continued, and led to Geno becoming a Raider.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) March 8, 2025
What about AOC?
Incumbent Aidan O’Connell may be the backup, depending on what the Raiders do in the draft. It’s not out of the question that the Raiders try to move the third-year player who has shown he is capable of starting.
Geno had a nice 2024 season:
Smith has been a journeyman but he arguably had his best NFL season in 2024. Smith is 40-43 as a career starter, but went 28-24 as Seattle’s starter. Smith threw for a career high 4,320 yards (a career high) with 21 touchdown passes and 15 interceptions in 2024. He also completed a career-high 70.4 percent of his passes last season.
GENO SMITH IS THE RAIDERS' NEW STARTING QB ☠️
Since 2022:
- 94 Big Time Throws (2nd)
- 77.9% adjusted completion rate (6th)
- 85.3 passing grade (8th) pic.twitter.com/SK2522L7ca
— PFF (@PFF) March 8, 2025
Good enough to compete in AFC West?
Carroll, who will be 74 in September and be the oldest head coach in NFL history, has vowed the Raiders will compete right away and said they are “going for it.” Will Smith make them an instant contender in the tough AFC West that features fellow quarterbacks Patrick Mahomes, Justin Herbert and Bo Nix? We’ll find out.
Maxx approves:
Tuesday, a day before he signed a massive new contract with the Raiders, Maxx Crosby said he wanted the Raiders to sign Rodgers. It didn’t happen, but he made it clear Friday he’s on board with Smith joining the Silver and Black.
LFG!!!!!!!!! ☠️ ☠️ ☠️
— Maxx Crosby (@CrosbyMaxx) March 8, 2025
What’s next:
The most important position on the field is taken care of, but there’s more to do. The Raiders have needs all over the lineup and have several in-house free agents to address including cornerback Nate Hobbs, linebacker Robert Spillane, safety Tre’von Moehrig and pass-rusher Malcolm Koonce.