Trending Now - Raiders Cut Ties With QB Geno Smith Following Tough Season
WHO:
Geno Smith, 35, quarterback
Las Vegas Raiders, NFL team
Pete Carroll, 74, former head coach of the Raiders
Klint Kubiak, new head coach of the Raiders
John Spytek, Raiders general manager
Fernando Mendoza, Indiana quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner
Sam Darnold, former quarterback for the Seahawks
J.J. McCarthy, second-year quarterback for the Vikings
WHAT:
The Raiders are set to release Geno Smith unless a trade occurs before the start of the new league year on March 11, 2026.
Smith signed a two-year, $75 million contract extension with the Raiders, which included $66.5 million guaranteed.
Smith's performance in the 2025 season included 19 touchdowns and 17 interceptions in 15 games, leading to a 3-14 record for the Raiders.
The Raiders will free up $8 million in salary cap space by releasing Smith, while incurring an $18.5 million dead cap hit.
Smith was traded to the Raiders from the Seahawks on March 7, 2025, for a third-round pick.
The Raiders secured the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Smith's 17 interceptions in the 2025 season were the most in the league and the highest he has thrown in a season since 2013.
Smith was sacked 55 times and pressured 194 times during the 2025 season.
WHERE:
Las Vegas, Nevada (Raiders' location)
Seattle, Washington (Seahawks' location)
WHEN:
March 7, 2025: Geno Smith was traded to the Raiders.
March 11, 2026: Start of the new league year and free agency period.
2025: Raiders finished the season with a 3-14 record.
2026 NFL Draft is scheduled for April 2026.
WHY:
The Raiders' decision to release Smith follows a disappointing season that resulted in the firing of head coach Pete Carroll.
The team aims to select a new quarterback, Fernando Mendoza, with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
HOW:
The Raiders are reportedly "aggressively shopping" Smith for a trade before the new league year begins.
By releasing Smith before the third day of the 2026 league year, the Raiders avoid paying him an additional $8.5 million in guarantees.
The Las Vegas Raiders are poised to release quarterback Geno Smith unless they can secure a trade before the new league year begins on March 11. Smith, who signed a two-year, $75 million contract extension with the team, had a challenging 2025 season, throwing 19 touchdowns against 17 interceptions and leading the Raiders to a disappointing 3-14 record. With the Raiders holding the No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming NFL Draft, they are looking to select Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza as they move on from Smith and his hefty contract.