Tag: Geno Smith

Dec 28, 2025; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith (7) throws in the third quarter against the New York Giants at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Jets reportedly reacquire QB Geno Smith in trade with Raiders

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Thirteen years after drafting Geno Smith, the Jets haven’t found a surefire solution to their quarterback woes and are bringing the 35-year-old back to New York for another shot.

The Raiders and Jets reportedly agreed to the trade on Tuesday sending Smith back to his original NFL team in return for a 2026 sixth-round draft pick.

The Jets also will receive a seventh-round pick (No. 2019 overall) along with Smith, who was awaiting his release by the Raiders before the start of the league year on Wednesday.

With an opportunity to head back to the Jets, Smith, 35, reportedly agreed to restructure his contract. ESPN reported the Raiders are paying most of the remaining tab, limiting New York’s financial commitment to just over the league minimum for veteran players.

The Jets selected Smith in the second round (39th overall) of the 2013 draft out of West Virginia. He played his first four seasons for the Jets and completed 57.9% of his passes for 5,962 yards and 28 touchdowns with 26 interceptions in 33 games (30 starts) from 2013-16.

Las Vegas is projected to use the No. 1 pick in next month’s draft on Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza.

There was urgency for the Raiders to trade or release Smith with an $8 million guarantee in his contract due to hit the books March 13.

Smith threw a league-worst 17 interceptions and completed 67.4% of his passes for 3,025 yards with 15 touchdowns in 15 starts last season. The Raiders were 2-13 in games he started and Smith was sacked a league-high 55 times.

Smith has completed 65.2% of his passes for 22,168 yards and 124 TDs with 89 interceptions in 109 regular-season games (98 starts) with the Jets, New York Giants (2017), Los Angeles Chargers (2018), Seattle Seahawks (2020-24) and Raiders.

His only playoff appearance was in 2022 with the Seahawks, a 41-23 loss to the San Francisco 49ers in an NFC wild-card game. Smith was honored as the NFL Comeback Player of the Year that season and made the Pro Bowl in 2022 and 2023.

–Field Level Media

Dec 28, 2025; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith (7) throws in the third quarter against the New York Giants at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Reports: Raiders to release QB Geno Smith

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Geno Smith is expected to be released by the Raiders before the start of the league year on March 11, when the long-expected vacancy at quarterback in Las Vegas reportedly will become official.

The Raiders are projected to use the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft on Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza, but at the NFL Scouting Combine last month, general manager John Spytek appeared to keep the door open for Smith to stick around. He said the Raiders don’t necessarily want a rookie to take the snaps as the starter in Week 1 of the 2026 regular season.

Kenny Pickett, Smith’s backup who took over late in the season when he was injured, is a free agent.

But releasing Smith after one season as the team’s starter will save the Raiders $8 million in cap space, sparing the automatic guarantee in Smith’s contract that would’ve hit the books March 13.

The Raiders would eat $18.5 million in dead money but cutting Smith, who was acquired in March 2025 in a trade from the Seattle Seahawks to be the starter for Pete Carroll.

Carroll didn’t last a second season and Smith barely survived the physical beating of playing behind one of the NFL’s worst offensive lines.

He threw a league-worst 17 interceptions and passed for 3,025 yards with 15 touchdowns in 15 starts. He was sacked 55 times.

Smith, 35, has played for five NFL franchises since being drafted 39th overall by the Jets in 2013.

–Field Level Media

Raiders QB Kenny Pickett could start with Geno Smith hurting

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Kenny Pickett inched closer to starting Sunday’s game for the Raiders on Thursday, the second day in a row without Geno Smith on the practice field.

Smith is nursing a right shoulder injury and did not practice Wednesday or Thursday, ceding first-team snaps in practice to Pickett, who replaced Smith after he was hurt in a 24-17 home loss to the Denver Broncos last Sunday.

Smith was injured during the third quarter. Pickett entered the game in the fourth quarter and threw a TD pass, going 8 of 11 for 97 yards.

Raiders coach Pete Carroll described Smith’s injury as a “jammed” throwing shoulder. Imaging of the shoulder showed no structural damage, Carroll said.

The Raiders (2-11) acquired Pickett, 27, from the Browns after training camp was completed in August. Cleveland acquired Pickett from the Eagles, where he was the backup to Jalen Hurts for the Super Bowl champions last season. But the Browns didn’t have a need at the position after drafting two quarterbacks in a span of 50 picks — Shedeur Sanders in the fifth round, Dillon Gabriel in the third — and signing Joe Flacco in free agency.

With the Raiders, Pickett is 10 of 14 for 105 yards and one touchdown in three games as a reserve this season.

“He came in with some good energy. He was able to put some points on the board — just execution,” Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty said of Pickett. “He practices well. Whether he goes or not (Sunday), I know he’ll work hard and be ready.”

Pickett has completed 481 of 769 passes (62.5%) for 4,870 yards, 16 TDs and 14 picks in 33 games (25 starts) for the Pittsburgh Steelers (2022-23), Eagles (2024) and Raiders. He is 15-10 as a starter.

The Steelers selected him 20th overall in the 2022 draft out of the University of Pittsburgh.

The Raiders have lost seven straight games heading into Sunday against the Eagles (8-5).

Smith, 35, has passed for 2,648 yards and 16 touchdowns and is tied for the NFL lead with 14 interceptions. He is in his first season with the Raiders after being acquired from the Seattle Seahawks in the offseason.

The two-time Pro Bowl selection (2022, 2023) and 2022 NFL Comeback Player of the Year, Smith has thrown for 21,791 yards, 121 touchdowns and 86 interceptions in 12 seasons for the New York Jets (2013-16), New York Giants (2017), Los Angeles Chargers (2018), Seahawks (2020-24) and Raiders.

The Jets selected him in the second round of the 2013 NFL Draft out of West Virginia University.

–Field Level Media

Eagles not sounding alarms ahead of Raiders matchup despite skid

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The Las Vegas Raiders bring a seven-game losing streak to Philadelphia on Sunday to face an Eagles team trying to avoid a repeat of 2023.

The only previous meeting between coaches Pete Carroll of the Raiders (2-11) and Nick Sirianni of the Eagles (8-5) occurred during Philadelphia’s late-season swoon two years ago.

Carroll’s Seattle Seahawks beat the visiting Eagles 20-17. That game, which was also played in Week 15, was part of a 1-5 collapse for Philadelphia after a 10-1 start.

Until Monday night, that Seahawks-Eagles contest was also the last time Philadelphia’s Jalen Hurts finished a game with multiple interceptions and zero touchdown passes.

After throwing just two interceptions in the first 12 games this season, Hurts was picked off four times in Monday’s 22-19 road loss to the Los Angeles Chargers — the last one to end the game in overtime.

Sirianni chose to see the glass as half full in his weekly appearance Wednesday on 94 WIP.

“There was a lot of good things on offense on Monday night,” he said. “It was really good defense, it was really good special teams and there were a lot of good things on offense.

“I come away encouraged from that game, knowing that we have things to clean up. … No one is pressing, everyone is just thinking, how do we get ourselves in the best position to win this game and play our best game?”

It was the third straight loss for the Eagles, their longest streak since dropping their last two regular-season games and the playoff opener in the 2023 season. They still lead the NFC East over the Dallas Cowboys (6-6-1) but this untimely swoon has dropped them two games behind the Los Angeles Rams and Seattle Seahawks in the race for the No. 1 seed.

Philadelphia has turned the ball over nine times during its three-game slide after posting only four giveaways during its 8-2 start to the season.

The margin for error is too small right now for the defending Super Bowl champions to survive such miscues against Las Vegas.

Carroll’s Raiders are just 1-11 since a Week 1 win against the New England Patriots that now seems incomprehensible. Their only other win came in Week 6 against the Tennessee Titans, who are now 2-11.

Still, three of their defeats in the current skid have been one-score games, including last week’s 24-17 home setback against the division-leading Denver Broncos.

“It’s super frustrating,” rookie running back Ashton Jeanty told reporters Wednesday. “… We’ve just got to continue to find ways to clean up our play and execute better when it matters the most.”

“I do think a lot of times all it takes is one play, one spark to change the direction of the game … to lead towards wins,” Jeanty added.

The Raiders have finished with fewer than 250 yards of offense in four of their last five games. Geno Smith was sacked 28 times over that same span and entered the week tied for the NFL lead with 14 interceptions this season.

Smith left the loss to Denver with a right shoulder injury, potentially giving backup Kenny Pickett a shot at his former team. Pickett won a ring with Philadelphia last season, appearing in five games in the regular season and beat Dallas in a Week 17 start. Aidan O’Connell is also available after returning from a fractured wrist.

Raiders left tackle Kolton Miller (ankle) returned to practice Wednesday for the first time since Week 4. Smith did not practice and tight end Michael Mayer (ankle) was limited. Wide receiver Dont’e Thornton Jr. has cleared concussion protocol.

Eagles right tackle Lane Johnson (foot) and defensive tackle Jalen Carter (shoulders) did not practice Wednesday and left guard Landon Dickerson (calf) was limited.

The forecast in Philadelphia on Sunday calls for snow and temperatures in the low 30s.

The all-time series between these teams is tied at 7-7, including the Raiders’ 27-10 win in Super Bowl XV.

–Field Level Media

Report: QB Geno Smith unlikely to start vs. Eagles

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Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith won’t practice Wednesday because of a right shoulder injury and is unlikely to start on Sunday against the host Philadelphia Eagles, NFL Network reported.

Kenny Pickett, who replaced Smith after he was hurt in a 24-17 home loss to the Denver Broncos last Sunday, is reportedly in line to start against his former team.

Smith was injured during the third quarter and later gave way to Pickett at the start of the fourth quarter.

Raiders coach Pete Carroll was concerned afterward but said on Sunday that initial tests “didn’t show any damage” to Smith’s passing shoulder.

“It’s just kind of jammed up right now,” Carroll said. “The early indications that they were able to get didn’t show any damage. His shoulder’s really locked up. So, we’ll see what that means.”

Smith completed 13 of 21 passes for 116 yards and one touchdown before exiting. Pickett finished 8-of-11 passing for 97 yards and a touchdown.

Carroll said on Tuesday that Pickett has “looked terrific in practice.”

“He runs around well. He moves well. He throws the ball on the move well, which he did in the game,” Carroll said. “He scrambled for a first down, I believe. I think he might have missed his first three (pass attempts) and hit seven or eight in a row. He came on really strong and finished on a good note.”

Pickett, 27, is in his first season with Las Vegas. He was acquired from the Cleveland Browns in late August.

He is 10 of 14 for 105 yards and one touchdown in three games as a reserve this season.

Pickett has completed 481 of 769 passes (62.5%) for 4,870 yards, 16 TDs and 14 picks in 33 games (25 starts) for the Pittsburgh Steelers (2022-23), Eagles (2024) and Raiders. He is 15-10 as a starter.

The Steelers selected him 20th overall in the 2022 draft out of the University of Pittsburgh.

The Raiders (2-11) have lost seven straight games heading into Sunday against the Eagles (8-5).

Smith, 35, has passed for 2,648 yards and 16 touchdowns and is tied for the NFL lead with 14 interceptions. He is in his first season with the Raiders after being acquired from the Seattle Seahawks in the offseason.

The two-time Pro Bowl selection (2022, 2023) and 2022 NFL Comeback Player of the Year, Smith has thrown for 21,791 yards, 121 touchdowns and 86 interceptions in 12 seasons for the New York Jets (2013-16), New York Giants (2017), Los Angeles Chargers (2018), Seahawks (2020-24) and Raiders.

The Jets selected him in the second round of the 2013 NFL Draft.

–Field Level Media

Jan 5, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Seattle Seahawks Geno Smith (7) in the pocket during the 1st quarter versus the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William Navarro-Imagn Images

Reports: Raiders QB Geno Smith agrees to 2-year extension through 2027

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Las Vegas Raiders and their new quarterback, Geno Smith, have agreed to a two-year, $75 million contract extension, multiple media outlets reported on Thursday afternoon.

The new deal could be worth $85.5 million with incentives and includes $66.5 million guaranteed, per the reports.

Smith, 34, will be under contract through the 2027 season. He had the 2025 season and $31 million remaining on the $75 million pact he signed while with the Seattle Seahawks in 2023.

The Seahawks traded Smith to Las Vegas last month for a 2025 third-round draft pick after being unable to come to terms on an extension.

A full-time starter in Seattle the past three seasons with two Pro Bowl nods, Smith was reunited with former Seahawks coach Pete Carroll, whom the Raiders hired this offseason. Carroll, 73, was out of coaching last year after mutually agreeing with the Seahawks to step down as head coach. He stayed on as an adviser.

Smith was Carroll’s starting quarterback his final two seasons, piloting the Seahawks to matching 9-8 records after taking over for Russell Wilson, who was traded away before the 2022 season.

That year, his first as a full-time starter in Seattle, was Smith’s most successful, as he threw for 4,282 yards and a career-high 30 touchdowns against 11 interceptions, leading the Seahawks to the playoffs. He also completed a NFL-leading 69.8 percent of his passes and was named NFL Comeback Player of the Year.

The follow-up year netted fewer passing yards (3,624) and touchdowns (20) as Smith missed two games to a groin injury. Last year, under new coach Mike Macdonald, Smith rebounded to throw for 4,320 yards and 21 touchdowns (albeit with 15 interceptions) while leading Seattle to a 10-7 record.

Smith was drafted by the New York Jets in the second round in 2013 after a highly productive college career at West Virginia. He started 29 games over his first two seasons before being relegated to the bench, bouncing to the New York Giants and Los Angeles Chargers before landing in Seattle in 2019.

–Field Level Media

Dec 26, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) walks off the field after the game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Bartel-Imagn Images

Raiders expect new deal for QB Geno Smith ‘fairly soon’

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No deal is in place yet to keep quarterback Geno Smith in a Raiders uniform past the upcoming season, but Las Vegas general manager John Spytek said Monday he is confident such a deal will come “fairly soon.”

“We really look forward to having him not just this year, but for the years to come,” Spytek told reporters at the NFL’s annual spring meeting in West Palm Beach, Fla.

Smith, 34, was traded to Las Vegas earlier this month after being unable to come to terms with the Seattle Seahawks on an extension. He has one year and $31 million remaining on a three-year, $75 million deal signed in March 2023.

A full-time starter in Seattle the past three seasons with two Pro Bowl nods, Smith was reunited with former Seahawks coach Pete Carroll, whom the Raiders hired this offseason. Carroll, 73, was out of coaching last year after mutually agreeing with the Seahawks to step down as head coach. He stayed on as an adviser.

“We’re working on it,” Carroll said of an extension for Smith.

The Raiders are not ruling out taking a quarterback with their nine picks in the upcoming NFL draft, but the acquisition of Smith takes away some of the pressure.

“We could take one anywhere, but I feel like we got a guy that can go play football right now,” Spytek said of Smith. “So, the need and anxiety at that position is not as high as it was a month ago.”

Smith was Carroll’s starting quarterback his final two seasons, piloting the Seahawks to matching 9-8 records after taking over for Russell Wilson, who was traded away before the 2022 season.

That year, his first as a full-time starter in Seattle, was Smith’s most successful, as he threw for 4,282 yards and a career-high 30 touchdowns against 11 interceptions, leading the Seahawks to the playoffs.

The follow-up year netted fewer passing yards (3,624) and touchdowns (20) as Smith missed two games to injury. Last year, under new coach Mike Macdonald, Smith rebounded to throw for 4,320 yards and 21 touchdowns (albeit with 15 interceptions) while leading Seattle to a 10-7 record.

Smith was drafted by the New York Jets in the second round in 2013 after a highly productive college career at West Virginia. He started 29 games over his first two seasons before being relegated to the bench, bouncing to the New York Giants and Los Angeles Chargers before landing in Seattle in 2019.

Las Vegas was 4-13 under former head coach Antonio Pierce last season. Gardner Minshew II, Aidan O’Connell and Desmond Ridder each started games at quarterback.

–Field Level Media

Dec 22, 2024; Seattle, Washington, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold (14) rushes against the Seattle Seahawks during the fourth quarter at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images

Reports: Seahawks seek Sam Darnold deal after trading Geno Smith

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Free agent Sam Darnold is Seattle’s preferred replacement for Geno Smith, according to reports.

The Seahawks agreed to trade Smith to the Las Vegas Raiders for a third-round pick on Friday. They can begin talking to free agents on Monday, and reportedly have Darnold at the front of the queue of quarterback options.

Darnold, 27, resurrected his career in a Pro Bowl season with the Minnesota Vikings in 2024. He was 14-3 while playing on a one-year deal as the replacement for Kirk Cousins in Minnesota. He was the No. 3 overall pick of the 2018 NFL Draft by the New York Jets.

The season ended with two painful performances in a loss to the Detroit Lions to close the regular season and the wild-card round defeat in Arizona against the Los Angeles Rams, who sacked Darnold nine times.

Head coach Kevin O’Connell said at the NFL Scouting Combine that Minnesota would entertain bringing Darnold back, but the Vikings also have other options. They drafted J.J. McCarthy 10th overall in 2024 and he missed last season following knee surgery. Daniel Jones, a former first-round pick released last November by the New York Giants, spent the final two-plus months on Minnesota’s roster and could come back to compete with McCarthy.

In addition to the pending Smith trade, which can become official March 12, the Seahawks are navigating massive turnover on offense. Wide receiver Tyler Lockett was released and Seattle gave DK Metcalf permission to seek a trade.

–Field Level Media

Jan 5, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) leaves the field following the game against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

Reports: Seahawks trade QB Geno Smith to Raiders

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Las Vegas has found its man at quarterback, while Seattle has embraced a full reset, as the Raiders have traded a 2025 third-round pick to the Seahawks in exchange for quarterback Geno Smith, NFL Network and ESPN reported Friday.

Smith, a full-time starter in Seattle the past three seasons with two Pro Bowl nods, will be reunited with former Seahawks coach Pete Carroll, whom the Raiders hired this offseason.

Carroll, 73, was out of coaching last year after mutually agreeing with the Seahawks to step down as head coach. He stayed on as an advisor.

Smith was Carroll’s starting quarterback his final two seasons, piloting the Seahawks to matching 9-8 records after taking over for Russell Wilson, who was traded away before the 2022 season.

That year, his first as a full-time starter in Seattle, was Smith’s most successful, as he threw for 4,282 yards and a career-high 30 touchdowns against just 11 interceptions, leading the Seahawks to the playoffs.

The follow-up year netted fewer passing yards (3,624) and touchdowns (20) as Smith missed two games to injury. Last year, under new coach Mike Macdonald, Smith rebounded to throw for 4,320 yards and 21 touchdowns (albeit with 15 interceptions) while leading Seattle to a 10-7 record.

Smith was drafted by the New York Jets in the second round in 2013 after a highly productive college career at West Virginia. He started 29 games over his first two seasons before being relegated to the bench, bouncing to the New York Giants and Los Angeles Chargers before landing in Seattle in 2019.

Now, much like Carroll, he figures to be a steadying influence for a franchise that has struggled to find success with just two winning seasons over the past 22 years.

Las Vegas was 4-13 under former head coach Antonio Pierce last season. Gardner Minshew II, Aidan O’Connell and Desmond Ridder platooned at quarterback.

–Field Level Media

Dec 15, 2024; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) sits on the bench after an injury during the second half against the Green Bay Packers at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images

Seahawks: QB Geno Smith’s knee looks OK after hit

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Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith’s knee looks like it’s “structurally” OK after a low hit and awkward landing in Sunday night’s loss to the Green Bay Packers.

Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald said Smith’s status for Week 16 is unclear until additional testing takes place.

Smith left in the third quarter of Seattle’s 30-13 loss to the Packers and did not return.

“It was severe enough for him not to come back in the game. We’ll do all the tests tomorrow and kind of figure it out as we go. But right now, structurally it looks like it’s OK, but we’ve got to get it imaged and all that stuff,” Macdonald said after the game.

Smith was hit in the right leg by Packers linebacker Edgerrin Cooper on a first down throw, knocking Smith back and causing his knee to hyperextend. No penalty was assessed because both of Smith’s feet were in the air at the point of contact, according to a rules analyst.

Smith was able to limp off the field. He was replaced by Sam Howell, who went 5-for-14 for 24 yards and an interception.

Smith was 15 of 19 for 149 yards and an interception before leaving. Smith is completing 69.9 percent of his passes for 3,623 yards and 14 touchdowns against 13 INTs on the season.

The loss dropped Seattle out of a playoff spot at 8-6 with three games remaining, including one against now NFC West division leader Los Angeles Rams in Week 18. The Seahawks host the Minnesota Vikings (11-2) next week.

–Field Level Media