Geno Smith reunites with Pete Carroll, marking a significant moment for both the quarterback and the Seattle Seahawks.
On Friday night, the Las Vegas Raiders made headlines by trading for Geno Smith from the Seattle Seahawks in exchange for a third-round draft pick. Following their unsuccessful attempt to acquire Matthew Stafford from the Rams, the Raiders quickly shifted their focus to another seasoned quarterback who can support their 73-year-old head coach in a win-now scenario.
In 2022, Pete Carroll appointed Smith as the starting quarterback after Russell Wilson was traded to the Denver Broncos. Surprisingly, Smith flourished in his new role, completing 70% of his passes for 4,292 yards, achieving 30 touchdowns against 11 interceptions. His impressive performance earned him a Pro Bowl selection and led the Seahawks to the playoffs, showcasing his potential as a top-tier quarterback.
Currently, Las Vegas boasts the third-highest salary cap space in the NFL, totaling $81 million, as reported by Over the Cap. After struggling with subpar quarterback choices over the past two years, Smith’s arrival should provide the Raiders with much-needed stability. He is expected to serve as a bridge quarterback, giving the team the flexibility to draft a developmental prospect.
Smith was in the final year of a three-year, $75 million contract with Seattle and sought an extension to align his salary with the league’s top quarterbacks. He reportedly aimed for $45 million annually, while the Seahawks countered with $35 million. Unable to reach a consensus, General Manager John Schneider facilitated Smith’s move to Las Vegas. He is set to earn $25 million in non-guaranteed salary in 2025, prompting the Raiders to likely renegotiate his contract.
On the other hand, the Seahawks currently have 24-year-old quarterback Sam Howell on their roster. With 18 NFL starts under his belt, Howell faced challenges during his limited appearances last season. The team also released veteran receiver Tyler Lockett, and star receiver DK Metcalf has expressed a desire to be traded amid contract negotiations, indicating a potential roster overhaul in Seattle.
However, this may not signal a complete rebuild. The Seahawks recently appointed Klint Kubiak as their offensive coordinator, who employs a system similar to that of Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell. Furthermore, with the Vikings opting not to franchise Sam Darnold, Seattle is reportedly eyeing the former USC standout as a free agent addition next week, with Darnold seeking a contract of at least three years.
Darnold, 27, enjoyed a breakout season in 2024, throwing for 4,319 yards, with 35 touchdowns and 14 interceptions, leading Minnesota to a 14-3 record. He showcased his skills against the Seahawks, passing for 246 yards and three touchdowns in a thrilling 27-24 victory in Seattle during Week 16.
“This scheme has a track record of allowing quarterbacks to play quickly,” Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald stated at the NFL Combine regarding the new offense. “If a quarterback can operate decisively and swiftly, it builds confidence. Defenses struggle to defend when the ball is released on time, and the play actions combined with movements will alleviate pressure on the offensive line, ultimately benefiting our team.”
