Geno Smith hasn’t even taken a snap for the Las Vegas Raiders yet, but the veteran quarterback might already be on the clock. When Smith signed a two-year deal worth $75 million earlier this offseason, it looked like a clear sign the Raiders were locking in their starter for at least the next couple of years. But a closer look at the contract and a particular seven-time Super Bowl champion’s influence suggests Smith might be more of a bridge than a long-term solution.
The Raiders hold the No. 6 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, and speculation is heating up that they could target a quarterback. The Athletic’s Vic Tafur recently hinted that a shakeup in the QB room could be on the horizon, especially with Tom Brady having strong opinions on how a young signal-caller should be developed. And if Brady gets his way, the Raiders might have one foot out the door with Smith before the season even begins.
Tom Brady Pushing for Las Vegas Raiders to Draft QB to Sit Behind Geno Smith
According to Tafur, the Raiders may be eyeing a rookie passer to develop behind Smith — and potentially trading third-year QB Aidan O’Connell in the process.
“Still, bringing in a young quarterback to learn behind Smith makes sense (and we think the Raiders might trade Aidan O’Connell on draft weekend),” Tafur wrote in his April 11 Raiders mailbag column. “New minority owner Tom Brady likes the idea of rookie quarterbacks sitting and soaking it all in, and there are some interesting options even in what is a down year in the draft for QBs.”
It’s a philosophy Brady knows well. He famously sat behind Drew Bledsoe before becoming a starter — and more recently, he’s been vocal about how young QBs benefit from learning before being thrown into the fire. That mindset could shape how the Raiders approach the draft, especially given how team-friendly Smith’s deal is. While it is a two-year deal on the surface, Smith’s contract includes a clear out after the 2025 season and no guaranteed money beyond 2026.
That flexibility makes it easier for Las Vegas to draft a quarterback now and move on from Smith sooner rather than later if the rookie develops quickly. Tafur floated names like Jalen Milroe, Quinn Ewers, Will Howard, and even Shedeur Sanders — although he noted Sanders may be too rich of a reach at No. 6 overall. With QBs expected to fly off the board quickly this year, the Raiders may need to act aggressively if they want their guy.
A name to watch is Ewers. Tafur noted he’s been critical of the Texas signal-caller’s inconsistency, but he acknowledged the tools are there — big arm, prototypical size, and big-game experience. With Brady reportedly in favor of letting a young quarterback develop behind Smith, Ewers (or someone like Milroe or Howard) could be a prime target in the second or third round.
Smith may be the Raiders’ starter in 2025, but don’t be surprised if the team — and Brady — are already preparing for what’s next.