What’s subsequent for the Raiders, Seahawks after Geno Smith’s commerce

Pete Carroll does not need his first yr as coach of the Las Vegas Raiders to be a rebuilding course of. He needs to get the ball rolling as quickly as potential — and that grew to become clearer Friday when the Raiders despatched a 2025 third-round choose to the Seattle Seahawks for Geno Smith, reuniting the veteran quarterback together with his former coach.

Smith was a two-time Professional Bowl choice underneath Carroll and recorded 8,641 passing yards, 55 touchdowns and 21 interceptions in 37 video games.

The Raiders had plans to guage each avenue to discover a quarterback. However the important thing was discovering somebody who will assist the franchise be aggressive in 2025. The Raiders tried to lure Matthew Stafford from the Los Angeles Rams final week however had been unsuccessful.

As for the Seahawks, they may save $31 million in money and cap house whereas taking up $13.5 million in lifeless cash. Seattle will even have one other alternative to discover a long-term reply at quarterback.

Taking a more in-depth look, ESPN reporters Ryan McFadden and Brady Henderson reply 4 massive questions in regards to the commerce, together with what comes subsequent. Nationwide reporter Jeremy Fowler dishes on suits at quarterback for Seattle, analyst Ben Solak weighs in and draft analyst Matt Miller appears ahead to the draft for each groups.

Are the Seahawks heading for an entire rebuild?

No, however they’re going to have some massive holes to fill — beginning at quarterback and doubtlessly vast receiver relying on what occurs with DK Metcalf‘s commerce request. The Seahawks are buying and selling Smith not as a result of they wish to embrace a full rebuild however as a result of they have been skeptical of his viability as their long-term starter given his age and up-and-down play. And with the 2 sides not seeing eye-to-eye on his worth as they tried to barter an extension, the group is getting what it will possibly for Smith now as an alternative of getting him play out the ultimate yr of his deal.

The Seahawks thought after they traded for Sam Howell 12 months in the past that he had the potential to succeed Smith as their starter, however nothing he confirmed final season suggests he is able to take over, not to mention take Seattle to the playoffs. They will want a quarterback, however coming off a 10-7 season, they need to area a stable roster round no matter veteran — Sam Darnold? Aaron Rodgers? Justin Fields? — they tab to exchange Smith. As for the releases of Tyler Lockett and 4 different veterans this week, these had been logical choices — with contracts not justifying manufacturing — that the Seahawks would have made in any yr. — Henderson

How does Smith match within the offense the Raiders are constructing with new coordinator Chip Kelly?

The Raiders struggled to attain in 2024, ending twenty ninth in factors per sport (18.2). Smith and Kelly ought to enhance that in 2025. Smith threw for greater than 4,000 yards for the second time in three seasons. Tight finish Brock Bowers was one of many prime move catchers within the league final season regardless of shaky quarterback play from Gardner Minshew and Aidan O’Connell. Pairing him with Smith might do wonders for Kelly’s offense.

Kelly is thought for working up-tempo offenses, however he modified his method to assist Ohio State win a nationwide title. He ought to be capable to design a inventive run sport that balances the offense and gives much less strain on the quarterback — which has been the purpose for the brand new regime. — McFadden

What different wants stay for the Raiders to be viable contenders within the AFC West?

Buying Smith answered the most important query on the Raiders’ roster, however there’s nonetheless work. The Raiders have a handful of wants, particularly on offense in the event that they wish to compete in a division that featured three groups making the postseason in 2024 and the AFC champion Kansas Metropolis Chiefs. Las Vegas might want to enhance at working again after ending final in dashing yards (79.8) per sport in 2024. With the No. 6 choose within the draft, Las Vegas might deal with that want by taking Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty.

Las Vegas additionally has so as to add one other playmaker. Bowers and vast receiver Jakobi Meyers are stable choices. Nonetheless, the Raiders nonetheless want a No. 1 vast receiver. The Raiders are anticipated to do their due diligence in free company for a wideout, a league supply advised ESPN. However the potential for buying and selling for a large receiver should not be dominated out both. — McFadden

Will the Seahawks nonetheless contemplate buying and selling Metcalf?

The higher query may be this: Will Metcalf rethink his commerce request with Smith gone? Cash tends to speak louder than anything, but when any a part of Metcalf’s discontent over the previous few seasons has been rooted in his need to catch passes from a quarterback apart from Smith, then maybe his stance will change. No matter what Metcalf needs, basic supervisor John Schneider has made it clear that he’ll do what’s finest for the Seahawks. Meaning buying and selling Metcalf to the group that offers Seattle the most effective supply — or not buying and selling him and having him play out the ultimate yr of his deal absent an extension.

Earlier than agreeing to the commerce for Smith, the Seahawks and Raiders additionally mentioned a deal involving Metcalf, so Las Vegas would possibly nonetheless be a group to observe. That would not fulfill his reported need to play for a contender, however that will not be Schneider’s concern. From a monetary standpoint, the $31 million the Seahawks save in money and cap house with the Smith commerce theoretically makes it simpler to suit a Metcalf extension into their funds. They need to have north of $60 million in cap house heading into free company. — Henderson

Which quarterbacks might the Seahawks look to register free company?

The Seahawks now have a clean canvas to improve their quarterbacks. The choices are plentiful, however all carry threat. A pure match can be the Atlanta Falcons‘ Kirk Cousins, who was with offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak in Minnesota. However Atlanta has not proven a willingness to maneuver Cousins. Darnold would be the prime free agent passer and in addition has familiarity with that system. Seattle can be clever to not less than gauge his market.

A Rodgers experiment can be intriguing however won’t match with the tradition Macdonald is trying to construct. After that, Seattle can be taking a look at more cost effective choices equivalent to Fields or Daniel Jones. A Russell Wilson reunion appears unlikely. And it is value noting that Schneider hasn’t taken a giant swing on a first-round quarterback. No higher time than now, regardless of what’s perceived as a weak quarterback class. — Fowler

How does this transformation the draft plan for every group?

The Raiders buying and selling a third-rounder for Smith successfully takes them out of the quarterback combine, not less than early on this draft. At No. 6 total, Las Vegas can now be a real “finest participant obtainable” group prefer it was when it took Bowers at No. 13 final yr. Jeanty, defensive finish Shemar Stewart (Texas A&M) and even an offensive lineman like Will Campbell (LSU) are instantly all in play.

For Seattle … effectively, all the things is on the desk for a group that was a playoff contender final season however now appears to be resetting. However going quarterback at No. 18 is not probably until Shedeur Sanders (Colorado) continues to be on the board. Seattle has been linked to Jaxson Dart (Ole Miss) and Quinn Ewers (Texas) as second-round choices, although. The Seahawks choose at No. 50 in Spherical 2. In Spherical 1, I feel the Seahawks might contemplate drafting an offensive deal with like Armand Membou (Missouri). Membou is superior on the transfer because of his power and quickness, and he is versatile sufficient to play wherever. That may be a dream match. — Miller

What ought to the Seahawks do at QB for 2025?

The Seahawks ought to signal a bridge quarterback and draft a speculative QB2 within the center rounds. Bear in mind, Schneider drafted Wilson within the third spherical in 2012 and acquired nice worth from Smith as a free agent signing in 2019. Darnold is the perfect bridge candidate as a result of he has the best ceiling and a few familiarity with Kubiak from their shared yr in San Francisco. However that solely applies if he is signed to a cope with just one or two years of actual cash. That may give Seattle an out if Darnold will get outplayed by a midround choice on a rookie deal equivalent to Jalen Milroe (Alabama) or Tyler Shough (Louisville). Jones would additionally match as an enough bridge choice if Seattle cannot afford Darnold.

In fact, neither a bridge nor a rookie has a lot likelihood of creating into one thing extra till the Seahawks’ offensive line is mounted. That continues to be Seattle’s greatest offseason precedence. — Solak