The Las Vegas Raiders are moving on from quarterback Geno Smith, a decision that comes after a single, unproductive season marked by a significant financial outlay. Sources indicate the team plans to release Smith before the new league year commences, unless a trade materializes. This move signals a broader reset for the franchise, which finished with a dismal 3-14 record.
The Raiders acquired Smith via trade for a third-round pick and subsequently signed him to a two-year extension. The team’s pursuit of a quick turnaround appears to have faltered, leaving a trail of substantial financial commitments and on-field struggles. Smith himself faced immense pressure, being sacked 55 times and pressured 194 times during his tenure.
The franchise seems poised to draft Fernando Mendoza, the highly touted quarterback from Indiana, with the No. 1 overall pick. This anticipated selection fuels the narrative of the Raiders clearing the path at the quarterback position, moving past the expensive gamble on Smith. The club's general manager acknowledged that Smith could have been better supported to achieve success.
Read More: Las Vegas Raiders trade QB Geno Smith to New York Jets after one season
This departure from Geno Smith marks the end of a chapter where the Raiders, under the guidance of coach Pete Carroll, attempted to inject immediate relevance through veteran acquisition. Both the coach and quarterback are now gone, their shared experience in Las Vegas seemingly ending in mutual disappointment. The implications for bettors and the team’s salary cap are now a focus, as the Raiders prepare to redirect their resources toward a new quarterbacking future.
