Is Geno Smith The ‘Immediate Fix’ The Las Vegas Raiders Need?

The Las Vegas Raiders, newly headed by coach Pete Carroll, are officially done with the quarterback hunt for the next few years. Hopefully.

This Wednesday, they signed veteran quarterback Geno Smith to a two-year deal, including $66.5 million in guaranteed money and a possible total of $85.5 million. The Raiders acquired Smith from the Seattle Seahawks earlier this offseason for a third-round pick, and they were willing to pay the price for stability at quarterback for the next few years.

Smith, 34, will play the 2025 season in the last year of his Seahawks contract, making $31 million. Given that his trade was at least partially motivated by monetary concerns—the Seahawks hoped to secure him for $35 million while he was asking for $40 million or more—it makes sense that Smith got a pay raise, but one that was perhaps smaller than he would have hoped.

Smith, who made the Pro Bowl in 2022 and 2023, was very good on a lackluster 2024 Seahawks offense. He broke team records in passing yards and completion rate, posting 4,320 yards with 21 touchdowns for a completion percentage of 70.4%. He also had some interception trouble, throwing the third-highest number in the league, with 15.

Carroll called Smith an “immediate fix” at the quarterback position. At $75 million, it’s obvious how valued that is – even if it may not have been as much as Smith wanted.

By the final year of his deal, Smith will be 37 years old. His age was certainly a contributing factor in the size and length of the deal, but if he can help the Raiders emerge from mediocrity, whatever they pay will have been well worth it.

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Article by Katherine Manz