Sources – Raiders land Seahawks’ Geno Smith for Third-round decide

The Las Vegas Raiders have traded for Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith, reuniting him with coach Pete Carroll, sources instructed ESPN’s Adam Schefter and Jeremy Fowler on Friday.

Las Vegas gave up a 2025 third-round decide (92nd total) for Smith, sources stated. The deal ends his six-year stint in Seattle, the place he revived his profession and have become a two-time Professional Bowl choice.

Smith has one yr and $31 million left on his contract. The Raiders are taking over all $31 million, a supply instructed ESPN’s Brady Henderson. The Seahawks will save that $31 million in money and cap area whereas taking over $13.5 million in lifeless cash.

In 2024, Smith, 34, accomplished 70.4% of his passes whereas throwing for 4,320 yards with 21 touchdowns and 15 interceptions. He helped the Seahawks end 10-7, however they did not make the playoffs of their first season below coach Mike Macdonald.

Whereas beginning all 17 video games, Smith broke his franchise document for passing yards and completion fee, carrying an offense with an overmatched line and no constant run recreation. He led 4 game-winning drives, giving him 9 over the previous two seasons to tie Patrick Mahomes for probably the most within the NFL in that span.

Smith’s final game-winning drive got here within the Seahawks’ Week 18 victory over the Los Angeles Rams.

However Smith’s 15 interceptions had been the third most within the NFL. 4 of his interceptions got here within the pink zone (most within the NFL). His 21 landing passes tied for thirteenth, and his QBR of 53.8 (twenty first) was his lowest in three seasons as Seattle’s full-time starter. He was sacked 50 instances (third most).

“Geno’s our quarterback,” Macdonald stated final month, certainly one of a number of instances he publicly endorsed the signal-caller because the finish of final season. “I do not perceive the dialog. It is fairly apparent this man is a heck of a quarterback. He is our quarterback. We love him. Cannot wait to go to work with him.”

Smith ranks twenty first in Complete QBR over the previous two seasons. He had the league’s seventh-best QBR in 2022, when he made the Professional Bowl, was named Related Press Comeback Participant of the 12 months and led the Seahawks to a wild-card berth after taking on as starter within the wake of the Russell Wilson commerce.

The Seahawks re-signed Smith to a three-year, $75 million contract in March 2023. That deal gave him the chance to make a further $30 million through contract escalators. Smith hit $6 million of these escalators along with his efficiency final season. That $6 million was added to the $10 million roster bonus Smith is ready to earn March 16.

Smith unsuccessfully argued for a brand new deal final offseason after seeing a number of quarterbacks money in with big-money extensions, and he was upset that the Seahawks wouldn’t give him one, sources stated. It was a nonstarter for the group given its coverage of not renegotiating contracts with a couple of season left.

The $25 million common of Smith’s final deal ranked nineteenth amongst quarterbacks (it was twentieth earlier than the New York Giants launched Daniel Jones) and final amongst full-time starters not on their rookie contract.

The Seahawks had been working to increase Smith’s contract over the previous week, however when progress was not being made, the Raiders stepped in and confirmed curiosity in buying him. With the Seahawks struggling to get a brand new deal executed, they opted for a third-round decide as a substitute.

Information of Smith’s commerce to the Raiders comes two days after Professional Bowl broad receiver DK Metcalf requested to be dealt from Seattle. The Seahawks additionally launched one other star receiver, Tyler Lockett, earlier this week together with 4 veteran gamers. The Raiders are among the many groups the Seahawks have talked to a few potential Metcalf commerce, in response to a supply.

The commerce, which may’t turn into official till the brand new league yr begins Wednesday, leaves the Seahawks with Sam Howell and Jaren Corridor at quarterback. The crew is predicted to pursue a veteran quarterback when free company begins.

After turning into Raiders coach in February, Carroll stated he needs to start out profitable instantly. Throughout the NFL scouting mix, Carroll stated the crew’s “win now” strategy ought to issue into each choice the crew makes in shaping the roster for the 2025 season.

“We are attempting to take it so far as we will as quickly as we probably can,” stated Carroll, 73. “I am not searching for a grace interval. … I do not assume that means in any respect.”

Carroll has lengthy had an affinity for Smith, at one level in 2023 calling him “certainly one of my all-time favourite guys.”

Smith is predicted to be the seventh Raiders quarterback to start out in a recreation because the crew moved on from Derek Carr after the 2022 season.

Throughout the mix, Raiders common supervisor John Spytek stated the crew would discover each avenue in including a quarterback after Las Vegas completed 4-13 below Gardner Minshew, Aidan O’Connell and Desmond Ridder, who began one recreation. Minshew is predicted to be launched initially of the brand new league yr, a supply instructed ESPN.

Carroll and Spytek talked about O’Connell and Carter Bradley would have an opportunity to compete for the job. On the identical time, Spytek stated, “We have to win extra video games too.”

Although Smith is an improve from the Raiders’ earlier starters, they’ve loads of work to do to encompass their new quarterback with offensive expertise. Las Vegas has gamers to work with akin to Brock Bowers, who led all tight ends in receiving yards (1,194) throughout his rookie marketing campaign. Vast receiver Jakobi Meyers recorded his first profession 1,000-yard season after three straight years with no less than 800.

ESPN’s Brady Henderson contributed to this report.