“Surprise NFL Trade Sparks Excitement for Seahawks and Raiders”
In a surprising move, Geno Smith is set to join the Las Vegas Raiders. The Seattle Seahawks traded their starting quarterback to the Raiders in exchange for a third-round draft pick, as reported by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. This trade will see Smith reuniting with Raiders head coach Pete Carroll, who had previously coached him in Seattle. Rumors of a potential Smith-to-Vegas trade had been circulating, according to Yahoo Sports’ Charles Robinson.
The Seahawks had been in negotiations for a contract extension with Smith, but when an agreement couldn’t be reached, they opted to trade him instead. Reports suggest that the Seahawks are now eyeing Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold in free agency.
Smith, who had one year left on his current contract with a salary-cap hit of $44.5 million, is expected to sign a new deal with the Raiders, per The Athletic’s Dianna Russini.
The trade marks the end of Smith’s time with the Seahawks, where he revived his career after a rocky start with the New York Jets and stints as a backup with the Giants and Chargers. Initially brought in as a backup to Russell Wilson, Smith eventually took over as the starter and found success, making the Pro Bowl in consecutive years before experiencing a setback in 2024 under new coaching.
The Seahawks have had a busy offseason, with changes in coaching staff and player roster. The departure of Smith leaves a void at quarterback, with speculations on who will fill the role and connect with receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba.
On the Raiders’ end, the addition of Smith addresses a pressing need at quarterback, as they look to improve their passing game after a lackluster season. With Carroll leading the team and Smith as the new QB1, the Raiders are aiming for a fresh start. However, there is still work to be done for Las Vegas, especially with the aging of their new quarterback and the possibility of seeking a long-term solution in the upcoming NFL Draft.
