Raiders Trade for as Seahawks Eye Quarterback Reset
In a major shake-up during an already eventful offseason, the Seattle Seahawks have agreed to trade veteran quarterback Geno Smith to the Las Vegas Raiders in exchange for a 2025 third-round pick, reported to be No. 92 overall. This move is expected to be finalized on Monday, coinciding with the start of the NFL’s free agency negotiation period.
The trade appears to be the result of failed contract extension discussions between Smith and the Seahawks. The 33-year-old quarterback was heading into the final season of his three-year deal, which included $31 million in salary for 2025, thanks to incentives triggered last season. That deal would have carried a massive $44.5 million salary cap hit in 2025, a figure Seattle had hoped to lower. However, reports indicate that the Raiders have agreed to absorb the full $31 million salary for the upcoming season.
Smith was due a $16 million roster bonus on March 17, which effectively served as a deadline for the trade to get done. His move to Las Vegas reunites him with former Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll, who took over the Raiders in January.
The Seahawks’ quarterback room has seen major changes over the past few weeks. Despite public endorsements of Smith by general manager John Schneider and head coach Mike Macdonald at the NFL Scouting Combine, the team ultimately chose to move in a different direction. Just last month, Macdonald strongly backed Smith, calling him “a heck of a quarterback” and insisting, “He’s our guy.” But Seattle’s front office appeared reluctant to meet Smith’s desire for a top-tier quarterback salary.
Smith took over as Seattle’s starter in 2022 after the Russell Wilson trade and made a strong impression. Over his three seasons, he amassed 12,961 passing yards, 76 touchdowns, and completed nearly 70.5% of his passes. In 2024, he threw for 4,320 yards with 35 touchdowns but also had 15 interceptions, including several costly ones, as the Seahawks finished 10-7 and missed the playoffs. The season ended with the firing of offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb and a shakeup of the offensive staff.
Smith had previously expressed interest in a contract extension and hoped to be paid like one of the league’s top quarterbacks, potentially in the $40 million per year range. Seattle ultimately declined to meet those demands.
With Smith gone, attention now turns to Seattle’s next move at quarterback. Sam Darnold, who is hitting free agency after a strong season with the Minnesota Vikings, is rumored to be a top target. Darnold threw for over 4,300 yards with 35 touchdowns and 12 interceptions in 2024. He has ties to new Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak, having worked with him in 2023.
Seattle also has Sam Howell on the roster, who started for Washington in 2023 but played sparingly last year. With Smith’s departure, the Seahawks will enter 2025 with a new quarterback and a fresh direction under their revamped leadership.
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