The Las Vegas Raiders have made a major move to upgrade their quarterback situation, striking a trade with the Seattle Seahawks to bring in veteran signal-caller Geno Smith. The deal reunites Smith with head coach Pete Carroll, who previously coached him in Seattle from 2020 to 2023.
Quarterback was a glaring issue for the Raiders after last season’s struggles with Gardner Minshew and Aidan O’Connell under center. Until now, the team’s direction at the position remained uncertain. However, with the acquisition of the 34-year-old Smith, the franchise has solidified its QB room something that Raiders star pass rusher Maxx Crosby wasted no time reacting to.
Clearly thrilled by the move, Crosby took to social media almost instantly, posting “LFG” alongside pirate flag emojis a strong sign that he’s all-in on the Raiders’ new quarterback.
Smith’s NFL journey has been filled with ups and downs, but in recent years, he has proven to be a reliable starter. After struggling early in his career with the New York Jets, the former 2013 second-round pick bounced around the league with the Giants and Chargers before landing in Seattle in 2020 as a backup.
His breakthrough came in 2022 when he won the Seahawks’ starting job over Drew Lock, proving himself as a capable leader under center. Smith wrapped up the 2024 season with a career-high 4,320 passing yards, 23 total touchdowns, and 15 interceptions while completing an impressive 70.4% of his passes.
By comparison, the Raiders’ quarterback duo of Minshew and O’Connell combined for just 3,625 passing yards, 18 total touchdowns, and 14 interceptions, with a lower 65.0% completion rate. Smith’s arrival should provide a significant boost for Las Vegas heading into the 2025 season.
While it remains to be seen how the veteran quarterback will fit into the Raiders’ system, one thing is clear this trade has turned a major weakness into a position of strength. And with his established chemistry with Carroll, Smith could be the missing piece that helps Las Vegas take the next step forward.
