Everyone has been watching to see the impact Tom Brady will have as a minority owner of the Las Vegas Raiders, particularly in their search for a franchise quarterback. After all, Brady is widely considered one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time, so it would be foolish not to lean on his expertise.
Following a disappointing 2024 season, many mock drafts projected the Raiders to solve their QB issues in the 2025 NFL Draft. But with a limited crop of top-tier quarterback talent this year — and Las Vegas set to pick sixth overall — their options were slim.
Instead, they addressed the position by trading with the Seattle Seahawks for veteran quarterback Geno Smith. In exchange, they sent Seattle a third-round pick and signed Smith to a two-year, $75 million extension.
Does Geno Smith Move the Needle for the Raiders in 2025?
On a recent episode of FS1’s “The Facility,” former NFL quarterback Chase Daniel said he believes the trade for Smith makes a lot of sense. He sees it as a move that can help the team take a step forward — especially with Smith reuniting with former Seahawks coach Pete Carroll, who was recently hired to lead the Raiders.
“I think they can make some noise,” Daniel said. “I think they’re going to make more noise, the Raiders are, than they have in the past. If they go out, they draft a receiver, they got Brock Bowers, maybe they draft a running back, which they need.
“I think Geno can play at a really high level. You look at this contract, and they’re paying below-average quarterback money for one of the most accurate throwers in all of football. Good bargain deal. I think this is the perfect guy. Gives them the most consistent play since Derek Carr’s been there.”
Smith ranked 15th in PFSN’s QB+ metric for 2024 with a grade of C+. As Daniel pointed out, Seattle’s weak offensive line contributed to Smith’s struggles and interceptions. Even so, he completed 70.4% of his passes, throwing for 4,320 yards with 21 touchdowns and 15 interceptions on 407 completions.
Daniel said he views the move as a smart one by Brady. Smith may not carry a team to victory on his own, but he’s steady, reliable, and well-liked in the locker room. Daniel argued that while some may view the extension as excessive, it reflects the market rate for a quarterback ranked in the 15–17 range.
Bringing in Smith also gives the Raiders flexibility. They no longer need to rush into drafting a quarterback or worry about trading up in a thin class. The move makes it clear where Brady and company stand on this year’s rookie crop — and suggests they’re willing to wait a year or two for a better option.