The Seattle Seahawks are trading quarterback Geno Smith to the Las Vegas Raiders, reports NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
The Raiders are sending a third-round pick to the Seahawks in the deal, according to Rapoport.
Seattle will target pending free agent Sam Darnold to replace Smith, per The Athletic’s Dianna Russini.
The Seahawks opened trade discussions with the Raiders by offering the latter a blockbuster proposal that would’ve sent Smith and disgruntled star wideout DK Metcalf to Las Vegas for pass-rusher Maxx Crosby, according to The MMQB’s Albert Breer. The Raiders swiftly rejected the proposal before talks focused on Smith.
The trade reunites Smith with former Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll, who he played under from 2020-23. The 34-year-old found a home in Seattle following Russell Wilson’s departure, earning two Pro Bowl nods and the 2022 NFL Comeback Player of the Year award while with the club.
Smith helped lead Seattle to a playoff berth in 2022 by passing for 4,282 yards, 30 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions with a 69.8% completion rate. Despite the veteran signal-caller’s stellar play, Seattle has missed the last two postseasons.
The West Virginia product threw a franchise-record 4,320 yards in 2024, along with 21 TDs and 15 INTS. However, he was sacked 50 times last season.
Smith has one year remaining on a three-year, $75-million extension signed in March 2023. Las Vegas is expected to negotiate a new deal for Smith, who’s looking to earn between $40 million and $45 million per year, Russini reports.
Seattle had discussed a new contract with Smith and offered him a pay raise in 2025, but the sides couldn’t reach an agreement, per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.
The Raiders struggled to find consistency at quarterback in 2024 and parted ways with Gardner Minshew after signing him as a free agent in the previous offseason. Aidan O’Connell, who has 17 starts for Las Vegas over the past two years, is set to return.
The Seahawks’ offense will have a new look under offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak. The club released wideout Tyler Lockett earlier this week and reportedly had Metcalf recently request a trade.
Darnold is considered one of the best available free agents after leading the Minnesota Vikings to a 14-3 record and a playoff appearance this past campaign. Sam Howell remains under contract for Seattle but hasn’t seen much playing time after the Seahawks acquired him last year.
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