The Las Vegas Raiders are halfway through the 2025 season, with a 2-7 record, and now their future at quarterback is already being questioned. The franchise has committed significant funds to Geno Smith, but performance, contract structure, and draft positioning have begun to shift in another direction.
The real intrigue comes from the type of quarterback they are now projected to target and the statistical profile behind him.
Las Vegas Raiders Weigh Future at QB As Draft Position Takes Shape
In a recent projection from PFSN’s Jacob Infante, he selects Oregon quarterback Dante Moore in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft.
Infante noted that the Smith experiment has not gone as well as the Raiders likely hoped, adding that Smith’s turnovers and large contract could push the team to seek a potential replacement if they end up selecting high in the upcoming draft.
That statement carries added weight when paired with Smith’s current deal. According to Spotrac, the veteran signed a two-year, $75 million contract with $66.5 million guaranteed.
His 2025 cap hit alone is listed at $40,010,080, with a dead cap number of $58,510,080, making him difficult to trade without incurring a significant financial setback.
Despite that investment, the Raiders are being connected to Moore, a sophomore who transferred from UCLA to Oregon and has combined for 30 passing touchdowns over his college career so far, including 19 touchdowns in 2025 at the midway point of the season.
His overall passing line through two programs stands at 266 completions for 3,431 yards, 30 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions, with a career completion rate of 62.7 percent.
Infante points out that Moore has started the season strongly, showing a powerful arm, solid anticipation, and better-than-average athleticism for a quarterback.
The numbers support the athleticism note. While Moore is not a high-volume runner, he has made 86 career rushing attempts, demonstrating mobility despite modest totals. His 2025 rushing line alone includes 40 attempts for 131 yards.
The bigger question is not whether Moore can play but what drafting him would signal. A first-round quarterback taken one year into a 75 million dollar contract almost always indicates a transition plan is already being built.
The financial penalties of cutting or trading Smith make 2026 feel more like a bridge year than a clean reset, which means the rookie could sit before eventually assuming the starting job.
If the Raiders continue trending toward the top of the draft board, the debate will shift from whether they make a move at quarterback to when they are ready to admit the Geno Smith window has already closed.