Long before the Seattle Seahawks traded quarterback Geno Smith to the Las Vegas Raiders this offseason after Smith and the Seahawks were unable to come to terms on a contract extension, fan-favorite running back Marshawn Lynch featured for the two organizations.
Thus, it was somewhat fitting that Smith echoed Lynch while speaking with reporters at a Monday news conference related to the 34-year-old signing a two-year, $85.5M extension with the Raiders.
"I realized that in this business, this is the big leagues, and there is a lot of talk that goes on, but I understand that the work is what matters the most and what you actually do is what matters the most," Smith explained, as shared by Nick Shook of the NFL's website. "I know we're here doing a lot of talking today, but I'm really about just... Like Marshawn said, 'I'm about that action.'"
That's not just a cliche for Smith, as it's believed the Raiders could still target a big-name quarterback such as Colorado's Shedeur Sanders during the upcoming draft and then move on from the veteran as soon as next offseason. While Sanders already has a relationship with Raiders minority owner Tom Brady, a Monday report indicated Brady is a believer in Smith.
With that said, it's on Smith to prove his worth to his new employer after he finished the 2024 regular season ranked 22nd in the NFL among qualified players with a 53.8 adjusted QBR, per Pro Football Reference. Only Baker Mayfield of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Kirk Cousins of the Atlanta Falcons threw more interceptions (16) than Smith (15) this past campaign.
"My mindset has never changed," Smith added during his comments. "It's the same thing every day -- go out there and compete, go out there and win, do what it takes to be the best. Even when I was the backup, that's how I felt. I think that allowed me to stay in it, and now that I get the opportunity to start, nothing changes. I'm still, in my mind, that same guy who had to fight, scratch and claw for the opportunity, and that will never leave me."
In his latest mock draft published on Tuesday morning, ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. predicted that the Raiders would take Boise State's Ashton Jeanty, the advertised top running back in this year's class, with the sixth overall pick of the 2025 draft. Such a decision would give Smith both a needed offensive weapon and some assurance that he'll be Las Vegas' first-choice QB1 through at least 2026.
