The Las Vegas Raiders have successfully negotiated a trade with the Seattle Seahawks to acquire quarterback Geno Smith. This move, confirmed on Tuesday, reunites Smith with head coach Pete Carroll, under whom he once thrived. Smith has one year remaining on his contract, valued at $31 million. The Seahawks, in return, will receive a 2025 third-round pick, numbered 92 overall.
This trade carries significant financial implications for both teams. Seattle will save $31 million in cash and cap space, although they will incur $13.5 million in dead money. The Raiders, meanwhile, welcome Smith as their seventh quarterback since parting ways with Derek Carr after the 2022 season.
Geno Smith's performance on the field has been noteworthy. In the 2024 season, he completed 70.4% of his passes, amassing 4,320 yards, 21 touchdowns, and 15 interceptions. Despite these impressive stats, he was sacked 50 times, ranking third in the NFL for most sacks endured by a quarterback. Smith also led the league with four red-zone interceptions during the same season.
Smith's career highlights include a standout 2022 season when he boasted the NFL's seventh-best QBR. That year, he earned a Pro Bowl selection and was named the AP Comeback Player of the Year while guiding the Seahawks to a wild-card playoff berth. In March 2023, the Seahawks re-signed Smith to a three-year, $75 million contract, underscoring their confidence in his abilities.
Despite efforts by Seattle to extend Smith's contract further in recent weeks, negotiations stalled. The Raiders seized this opportunity to express their interest, ultimately securing the talented quarterback. According to sources, Seattle will absorb the entirety of Smith's $31 million contract.
Smith has long admired Pete Carroll, who once described him as "one of my all-time favorite guys." Their reunion is expected to be mutually beneficial as both aim to propel the Raiders forward.
"We are trying to take it as far as we can as soon as we possibly can," – Pete Carroll
The Raiders' pursuit of talent doesn't end with Smith. Reports suggest that they have also engaged in discussions with Seattle regarding a potential trade for Pro Bowl wide receiver DK Metcalf. Such a move could significantly bolster Las Vegas' offensive lineup.
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