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The Las Vegas Raiders are reportedly moving on from quarterback Geno Smith.
The Raiders, if they can’t find a trade partner before the start of the new league year on Wednesday, will release the 35-year-old, according to multiple reports.
The Raiders acquired Smith in a trade with the Seattle Seahawks last season and gave up a 2025 third-round pick to reunite him with head coach Pete Carroll. A year later, both Carroll and Smith will no longer be with the franchise.
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Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith (7) warms up before the game against the Cleveland Browns at Allegiant Stadium in Paradise, Nevada, on Nov. 23, 2025. (Stephen R. Sylvanie/Imagn Images)
Following the trade, Smith signed a two-year, $75 million contract extension with the Raiders, earning $40 million last season. By releasing Smith, the Raiders will incur $18.5 million in dead cap space but gain $8 million in salary cap space.
The Raiders also had to pay Smith an additional $8.5 million in guaranteed money on the third day of the league year, but will avoid paying that by releasing him sooner.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith (7) yells at his bench after failing to convert against the Cleveland Browns in the third quarter in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Stephen R. Sylvanie/Imagn Images)
Smith had a rough season as he led the NFL with 17 interceptions despite missing two games due to injury. He completed 67.4% of his passes for 3,205 yards with 19 touchdowns and 17 interceptions.
It is also the second season in a row that new head coach Klint Kubiak has moved on from Smith. The Seahawks traded Smith after Kubiak was hired as the team’s offensive coordinator last year and are now poised to release him with Kubiak as the Raiders’ head coach.
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Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith (7) reacts after a play in the second half of an NFL football game against the Washington Commanders in Landover, Maryland on September 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)
Moving on from Smith allows the Raiders to start Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Fernando Mendoza at quarterback if the team selects him with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
However, minority owner Tom Brady and general manager John Spytek have both said numerous times that they believe in not playing a young quarterback right away, making it unlikely that Mendoza would start Week 1.
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