The Las Vegas Raiders are heading into the 2025 season with a new quarterback, but their long-term plan at the position remains uncertain.
After cycling through multiple QBs in 2024, including Gardner Minshew, Aidan O’Connell, and Desmond Ridder, the Raiders finished with a disappointing 4-13 record. In response, the team made a bold move, trading for veteran quarterback Geno Smith, who is now reuniting with his former Seattle Seahawks coach, Pete Carroll, in Las Vegas.
Geno Smith awaits his Vegas jackpot
Geno Smith is entering his 13th NFL season and is expected to provide stability under center.
However, despite acquiring him in exchange for a third-round pick, the Raiders have yet to finalize a contract extension.
Smith, who signed a three-year deal with Seattle in 2023, is now in the final year of that contract.
Reports indicate that he’s seeking a deal worth between $40 million and $45 million annually, a figure Las Vegas can afford, but negotiations remain ongoing.
As contract talks continue, Smith took to social media to share his mindset heading into his first season with the Raiders.
Posting a workout clip on X, the quarterback wrote, “Now & 4ever I bring it home to ya!” signaling his commitment to the franchise.
While his long-term future in Vegas remains uncertain, Smith appears eager to prove his value on the field.
His reunion with Pete Carroll has also played a key role in shaping expectations.
Carroll, who coached Smith for six seasons in Seattle, has been a vocal supporter of the veteran QB.
“G’s excited to get going and get started,”Carroll said when asked about the contract situation.
“He’ll be here when we get rolling, but we are working on it.”
While the Raiders view Smith as an immediate upgrade, they aren’t ruling out selecting a quarterback in the upcoming NFL Draft.
Holding the No. 6 overall pick, Las Vegas is in a position to target a young passer, though the top prospects, such as Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders, may already be off the board by the time they are on the clock.
Carroll acknowledged the possibility of drafting a QB while emphasizing his confidence in Smith.
“Geno is an immediate fix for us, and it’s going to last us,” he said.
“We’re going to get a number of years from Geno at his very best. He’s healthy and ready to go. He’s as tuned in as he’s ever been, but that doesn’t mean that we don’t see some guys coming out with tremendous potential.”
For now, the Raiders are at a crossroads.
Locking in Smith with a new deal would provide stability, but leaving negotiations unresolved through the draft could create uncertainty about the team’s direction.
If the Raiders decide to select a quarterback, it could signal a shift in their long-term plans, one that could impact Smith’s role with the franchise beyond 2025.
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