Geno Smith will have a new home in 2025 after being traded to the Las Vegas Raiders for a third-round selection in the NFL Draft.
Since reviving his career with the Seattle Seahawks, he has been a dependable quarterback, throwing for more than 4,000 yards in two of the last three seasons.
Smith threw more interceptions than he would have liked to last year, but he continued his streak of 20+ touchdowns to three campaigns in a row.
He was about to enter the final year of his contract and was owed $31 million. He wanted a new extension and negotiations had already begun.
However, with NFL Free Agency looming and the draft just weeks away, the Seahawks decided to get some compensation for their signal-caller.
The Seahawks could sign Sam Darnold who enjoyed a similar career revival to Smith in 2024, leading the Minnesota Vikings to a 14-3 record.
Smith could have be reunited with DK Metcalf at the Raiders, but he has just been traded for a second-round pick to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
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Mike Florio believes there is a ‘simple’ reason for Geno Smith’s Las Vegas Raiders trade
Smith has been reunited with the coach who had the faith in him to give his career another shot, with Pete Carroll now the lead man at the Raiders.
They’re in a rebuild and haven’t had a competent quarterback since Derek Carr joined the New Orleans Saints ahead of the 2023 season.
Mike Florio has now explained the reasoning behind the move, and he believes it’s simpler than it may look on the surface.
“I think it’s more simple than that. I don’t think they were lying about it [Seahawks intending to start him in 2025],” he said.
“I think the problem was they were in contract checkmate with Geno. And Geno wanted too much. I think it was that simple.”
How dangerous could the Las Vegas Raiders be in 2025?
The undisputed kings of the AFC West are the Kansas City Chiefs, who have won the division for the last nine consecutive seasons.
The Raiders haven’t won it since they were in Oakland back in 2002. The same year they had the league’s number one offense before losing in the Super Bowl to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
If they can end their NFL Playoff drought, Smith wouldn’t be the only reason, but he’s a significant upgrade at quarterback and knows the system they will be in. It’s a big advantage.
He also has one of the best pieces in the league to throw to, with Brock Bowers coming off a record rookie season at the tight end spot.
New general manager John Spytek is excellent in the NFL Draft too, so with the addition of some youth, they could be challengers in the future.
