Ryan McFadden
Multiple Authors
HENDERSON, Nev. — The Las Vegas Raiders are releasing quarterback Geno Smith, barring a trade before the start of the new league year, sources tell ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
By releasing Smith, the Raiders will open up $8M in salary cap space while taking on $18.5M in dead money.
Smith signed a two-year, $75 million extension after being traded from the Seattle Seahawks in exchange for a 2025 third-round pick. Smith earned $40 million in 2025, all of which was fully guaranteed.
By releasing Smith, Las Vegas will have a dead salary cap hit of $18.5 million. However, the Raiders avoid paying Smith an additional $8.5 million in guarantees by moving on from him before the third day of the 2026 league year.
Initially, the Raiders hoped that pairing Smith with former head coach Pete Carroll, whom he played under for six seasons with the Seattle Seahawks, would translate to immediate success. Their plan backfired.
In 15 starts, Smith threw for 3,025 yards, 19 touchdowns and 17 interceptions — a league-high and the most he has thrown in a season since he threw 21 picks as a rookie for the New York Jets in 2013.
Smith threw nine picks in the first five games of the 2025 season.
He was also 27th in QBR (34.1) and missed two games due to injury. Raiders general manager John Spytek said at the scouting combine that he didn’t want to blame Smith’s struggles all on the 35-year-old signal caller. Spytek admitted that he could’ve put Smith in a better position to succeed.
Smith battled inconsistent pass protection. He was sacked 55 times and pressured 194. Offensive coordinator Chip Kelly was fired after Week 11 and tight end Brock Bowers battled a knee injury during the first half of the season.
Nonetheless, Smith’s inconsistencies in the pocket factored into the Raiders putting together one of the worst seasons in franchise history. Las Vegas finished 3-14, and Carroll — who Smith credits for rejuvenating his career — was fired. The Raiders did secure the top pick in the 2026 NFL draft, which they are expected to use to select Smith’s replacement, Indiana quarterback and Heisman trophy winner Fernando Mendoza.
Still, Spytek is not a believer in playing a young quarterback right away. Las Vegas will most likely add another veteran quarterback who will compete with Mendoza and backup Aidan O’Connell.
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