The Las Vegas Raiders made their move at quarterback, which was simpler than anyone expected. Everything fell into place when Geno Smith grew frustrated with Seattle’s contract negotiations, and Pete Carroll joined the Raiders coaching staff. Las Vegas secured a proven starter for a third-round pick, instantly upgrading its most important position.
Why Did the Las Vegas Raiders Trade for Geno Smith?
Despite the Seattle Seahawks offering Smith a two-year contract worth $40 million per year, the 34-year-old quarterback decided that wasn’t enough.
Smith had spent the 2020-24 seasons in Seattle after beginning his career with the New York Jets, followed by stints with the New York Giants and Los Angeles Chargers, before finding what he thought was his permanent home in the Pacific Northwest.
The trade became official when Seattle moved on from their veteran quarterback, allowing it to pursue Sam Darnold in free agency. While it remains unknown how much longer Smith has left in his NFL career, he signed a two-year, $75 million deal upon being traded to the Raiders.
Seahawks trading QB Geno Smith to Raiders for 2025 third-round pick.
(via @RapSheet, @TomPelissero, @MikeGarafolo) pic.twitter.com/yVr9dMKa4m
— NFL (@NFL) March 7, 2025
Smith’s base salary is $39.5 million in the 2027 season, and his Las Vegas contract allows the veteran to earn $66.5 million guaranteed. The exact details of Seattle’s extension offer to Smith remain unknown. However, that represented a substantial amount of money to give to an aging quarterback still searching for that first signature playoff victory.
Meanwhile, Seattle got their replacement quarterback in Sam Darnold. The former Minnesota Vikings signal-caller’s brilliant 2024 campaign convinced the Seahawks that they had found their next franchise player. Darnold completed 16 of 23 passes for 150 yards in his debut with Seattle. The Seahawks committed big money to secure him, offering a three-year, $100 million contract that guarantees Darnold $55 million.
Geno Smith to Tre Tucker touchdown for the Raiders!
LVvsNE on CBS/Paramount+https://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt pic.twitter.com/CteEp7nh0v
— NFL (@NFL) September 7, 2025
These contracts are significant because both quarterbacks earned large sums of money despite never being considered top-tier players. In 2025, this represents the current state of the NFL, where quarterback contracts have spiraled out of control. Numerous players have made $200+ million despite lacking signature victories.
Smith’s Week 1 performance picked up where he left off in the 2024-25 season. The West Virginia graduate completed 24 of 34 passes for 362 yards, throwing one touchdown and one interception.
Only Josh Allen had thrown for more yards than Smith did in Week 1, putting the Raiders quarterback in elite company. Carroll downplayed Smith’s numbers, demonstrating the legendary head coach’s confidence in his quarterback.
