The Las Vegas Raiders don’t need to say it out loud for everyone to understand what’s coming next. The direction is obvious. The timeline is accelerating. And Geno Smith, once viewed as a bridge quarterback with upside, now feels like a footnote in a transition that didn’t last long.
Last summer’s decision to trade for Smith was meant to stabilize the position. Instead, it exposed just how far the Raiders still were from clarity under center. Now, holding the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft—and widely expected to select quarterback Fernando Mendoza—the franchise is preparing to turn the page.
Financially, the numbers tell the story. Releasing Smith would save the Raiders roughly $8 million in cap space, even after absorbing $18.5 million in dead money. Trading him would be cleaner, removing his $26.5 million base salary from the books entirely. That outcome is clearly preferred.
The problem? Finding a buyer.
Smith’s contract, age, and uneven performance in Las Vegas don’t exactly scream “hot commodity.” But quarterback scarcity has a way of creating opportunity where logic says none should exist. And for the right team, Smith could still make sense—as a stopgap, a competitor, or insurance against uncertainty.
One potential landing spot is Cleveland.
The Browns are in transition, searching for a new head coach and clarity at quarterback. Whether they promote Jim Schwartz or bring in Rams passing game coordinator Nate Scheelhaase, there’s a strong chance Cleveland adds a veteran passer to the mix.
With Shedeur Sanders expected to compete for snaps, a steady presence like Smith could provide experience—especially if Deshaun Watson’s future remains murky.
Then there’s New York.
Smith’s history with the Jets is complicated. Drafted in 2013, he spent his rookie contract years in East Rutherford before being labeled a bust. His career revival came later, elsewhere. Still, NFL teams are rarely sentimental when needs arise.
After missing out on the Fernando Mendoza sweepstakes, the Jets could find themselves searching for a veteran arm who can stabilize the room without long-term commitment.
A reunion wouldn’t be about redemption—it would be about necessity.
What makes Smith’s situation uncomfortable is how quietly it’s unfolding. There’s no public criticism. No dramatic statements. Just silence—and preparation for life after him. The Raiders’ focus has shifted completely toward the future, and Smith appears increasingly misaligned with it.
That doesn’t mean he’s finished.
Quarterbacks with starting experience almost always resurface somewhere. Injuries happen. Plans fall apart. And desperation has a way of softening opinions. Smith may not be a franchise answer, but he remains a viable option for teams unwilling—or unable—to start from scratch.
For Las Vegas, the priority is clear. Clear cap space. Reset the timeline. Hand the keys to a new face of the franchise.
For Geno Smith, the offseason becomes a waiting game.
Not for validation—but for the next team willing to believe that what happened in Vegas doesn’t define what comes next.
Leave a Reply