In a significant move that has reshaped the NFL landscape, the Seattle Seahawks have traded quarterback Geno Smith to the Las Vegas Raiders. This development comes on the heels of contract negotiations between Smith and the Seahawks, where Seattle reportedly offered a two-year deal in the range of $40-45 million per year. Smith declined this offer without presenting a counterproposal and subsequently requested a trade, leading to his acquisition by the Raiders.
Contract Negotiations and Trade Request
Geno Smith’s tenure with the Seahawks was marked by a remarkable career resurgence. After taking over as the starting quarterback in 2022, Smith led the league in completion percentage and earned the AP Comeback Player of the Year award. His performance secured him a three-year, $75 million contract with Seattle. As he entered the final year of this contract, the Seahawks aimed to retain Smith’s services and offered a two-year extension worth between $40-45 million annually. However, Smith declined the offer without a counterproposal and requested a trade, signaling his desire for a new direction in his career.
The Trade Details
The Seahawks agreed to trade Smith to the Las Vegas Raiders in exchange for a 2025 third-round draft pick. This trade reunites Smith with former Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll, who assumed the head coaching position with the Raiders earlier this offseason. The Raiders, who struggled with a 4-13 record last season, were in search of stability at the quarterback position. Smith’s arrival is anticipated to provide the leadership and experience needed to revitalize the team’s offense.
Financial Implications for the Seahawks
The trade has notable financial ramifications for the Seahawks. By offloading Smith’s contract, Seattle freed up $31.5 million in salary cap space for the 2025 season, though they will incur $13.5 million in dead money. This adjustment nearly doubles the Seahawks’ available cap space to approximately $62.5 million, positioning them with the eighth-highest cap space among NFL teams. This newfound financial flexibility allows Seattle to pursue high-profile free agents, a departure from their traditional strategy of conservative spending.
Impact on the Raiders
For the Raiders, acquiring Geno Smith represents a strategic effort to address the quarterback instability that has plagued the team in recent seasons. After unsuccessful pursuits of other quarterbacks, including Matthew Stafford, the Raiders secured Smith, who is expected to sign a contract extension worth approximately $45 million annually. Smith’s reunion with Coach Pete Carroll is anticipated to bring a familiar offensive philosophy and renewed vigor to the Raiders’ offense. The move also intensifies the competition within the AFC West, particularly against division rivals like the Kansas City Chiefs.
Seahawks’ Quarterback Prospects
With Smith’s departure, the Seahawks face the challenge of filling the quarterback position. Reports indicate that Seattle is exploring the possibility of signing Sam Darnold, who experienced a career revival with the Minnesota Vikings in 2024. Darnold’s potential arrival could provide the Seahawks with a seasoned quarterback capable of leading the team while they evaluate long-term options.
Broader NFL Context
The trade of Geno Smith is part of a broader trend of aggressive roster moves across the NFL. Teams are capitalizing on increased salary cap space, resulting from burgeoning media rights revenues, to secure key players ahead of the official free agency period. Notable transactions include the Buffalo Bills signing quarterback Josh Allen to a $330 million deal and the Cleveland Browns extending defensive end Myles Garrett for $160 million. This flurry of activity underscores a unique offseason where financial flexibility and a limited free agent class have prompted teams to act decisively to enhance their rosters.
Conclusion
Geno Smith’s rejection of the Seahawks’ contract offer and subsequent trade to the Raiders mark a pivotal moment for both franchises. The Seahawks gain substantial salary cap space to retool their roster, while the Raiders acquire a veteran quarterback poised to lead a resurgence under Coach Pete Carroll. As the NFL offseason unfolds, these moves exemplify the dynamic nature of team strategies in pursuit of success in the upcoming season.