Tom Brady’s True Feelings on Sam Darnold’s Fit With Raiders Leaked

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Seattle Seahawks QB Sam Darnold.

The Las Vegas Raiders explored many quarterback options this offseason, but eventually landed on a trade with the Seattle Seahawks for Geno Smith. However, there was one option that would’ve cost less.

Sam Darnold was coming off a huge season with the Minnesota Vikings, but he was able to test free agency. He wouldn’t have cost anything in a trade, and signed for a contract that was cheaper than the extension the Raiders gave Smith.

Essentially, they could’ve saved a third-round pick and some money had they pursued Darnold instead. The problem with that may have been minority owner Tom Brady. According to The Athletic’s Mike Silver, Brady wasn’t a fan of the idea of signing Darnold.

“The Seahawks’ pursuit of Darnold snuck up on many NFL observers and proceeded in rapid-fire fashion,” Silver wrote. “While some believed the Las Vegas Raiders would try to sign Darnold, minority owner Tom Brady — a seven-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback whose opinion held great sway — was not in favor of that approach, according to a source familiar with the franchise’s internal discussions.”

Darnold had a big 2024 season, but he looked really bad to end the season when the games counted most. Brady was a quarterback who stepped up when the pressure was the strongest, but Darnold hasn’t proven he can do that.

How Smith Trade Came Together

Time will tell if Smith is actually a better quarterback than Darnold. It won’t take long, as Darnold is replacing Smith in Seattle with the same coaching staff and many of the same weapons.

The Seahawks wanted to keep Smith, but he wasn’t eager to accept what they were offering, per Silver.

“Meanwhile, Smith, seeking a lucrative extension from the Seahawks, reacted coldly to the team’s initial offer,” Silver wrote. “The Raiders, having recently hired former Seattle coach Pete Carroll, emerged as a potential trade partner.

“As he negotiated the deal that would send the 34-year-old Smith to Las Vegas, Schneider pondered his best options to secure a successor: Darnold, Rodgers and Drew Lock, a former Seahawks backup who spent 2024 with the New York Giants.”

Did Raiders Make Right Choice?

Darnold is younger and cheaper than Smith, so nobody would’ve faulted the Raiders if they chose him. The major difference between the two is that Smith has had three-straight seasons of very good quarterback play, while Darnold only has one in his career.

The Raiders can also easily get out of Smith’s contract after two years, so it’s not like they had to make a strong long-term commitment. Plus, Smith has proven success working with head coach Pete Carroll.

Carroll didn’t coach Darnold at USC, but he should be familiar with the quarterback due to his ties to the program. Though Silver didn’t report on it, it’s safe to assume that Carroll liked the idea of adding Smith more than Darnold.

What the Raiders need is stability, and there are fewer questions regarding Smith than there are regarding Darnold. In the long run, the Seahawks could look like the smarter team, but for now, it’s easy to understand why the Raiders preferred Smith.