The Las Vegas Raiders made a bold move last season when they traded away star wide receiver Davante Adams for a third-round pick-a deal that raised eyebrows across the league. But what came next was even more surprising: they flipped that pick to the Seattle Seahawks for quarterback Geno Smith.
On paper, it looked like a calculated gamble. The Raiders had struggled mightily at quarterback, and bringing in a veteran like Smith seemed like a low-risk swing at stabilizing the position.
Fast forward to now, and it’s clear that swing hasn’t connected. Smith’s performance this season has been, frankly, underwhelming.
He’s looked nothing like a starting-caliber quarterback, and the Raiders’ offense has sputtered because of it. While Pete Carroll’s influence in Seattle may have helped grease the wheels for the deal, the Raiders’ front office is left dealing with the fallout.
Smith’s struggles have been glaring, and unless something dramatically changes, it’s hard to see him as part of the team’s long-term plans.
Barring injury, Smith is expected to finish out the season as the starter-if only because the Raiders don’t have a better option right now. But beyond this year?
That’s a different conversation. If the right young quarterback comes along in the draft, or if a trade opportunity presents itself, Smith’s time in silver and black could be short-lived.
And frankly, it probably should be.
The idea of flipping Smith for an early Day 3 pick-say, a fourth- or fifth-rounder-would feel like a small victory for a Raiders front office looking to salvage something from this experiment. According to a recent piece by The Ringer’s Diante Lee, there’s a chance that could happen. Lee suggested that a quarterback-needy team might be willing to part with a couple of late-round picks for Smith, especially if they believe they can plug him into a system better suited to his strengths.
That’s the key here. Smith still has enough arm talent to make some throws and win a few games if the supporting cast is right.
But that’s not the case in Las Vegas. The offensive line has been shaky, the receiving corps is depleted-especially after Adams’ departure-and the scheme hasn’t done him many favors.
Even when the line holds up, Smith has struggled to find rhythm or consistency. And before Jakobi Meyers was traded, things looked even worse.
So yes, the Raiders might’ve failed Smith in some ways. But Smith hasn’t exactly made the most of the situation either.
If Las Vegas can get anything close to a fourth-round pick in return for Smith this offseason, that would be a win. It would essentially mean they moved back a round or two in the draft in exchange for a one-year bridge quarterback-one who, while not successful in the win column, could help position the franchise for a brighter future.
That’s the silver lining here. If the Raiders finish with a record like 2-15, they’ll be in prime position to land a top quarterback prospect in the 2026 NFL Draft. And if they hit on that pick, this entire sequence of moves-trading Adams, acquiring Smith, enduring a rough season-could end up being the turning point that reshaped the franchise.
It’s been another tough year for Raider Nation, no doubt. But sometimes, the road back to relevance starts with a painful reset. If the front office plays its cards right, this could be the beginning of something better.