Las Vegas Raiders to Release QB Geno Smith After Poor Season

The Raiders are releasing Geno Smith after he threw 17 interceptions last season, which was the worst in the NFL. This is a big change for the team.
By Newsroom | Sports, NFL |

The Las Vegas Raiders are slated to release veteran quarterback Geno Smith before the new league year commences on Wednesday, unless a trade materializes. This decision follows a single, tumultuous season for the 35-year-old signal-caller in Las Vegas.

Smith’s tenure with the Raiders was marked by significant struggles, culminating in an NFL-worst 17 interceptions across 15 starts. He finished the season with a 2-13 record as the team's starting quarterback, throwing 19 touchdowns against those 17 turnovers. The Raiders, who compiled a 3-14 record overall, are reportedly expected to use the first overall pick in the upcoming draft on Fernando Mendoza, the former Indiana quarterback who recently led his team to a national championship.

The Raiders acquired Smith from the Seattle Seahawks in exchange for a third-round pick during the last offseason. This move reunited him with coach Pete Carroll, under whom Smith had previously played for five seasons in Seattle and credited with revitalizing his career. However, Carroll himself was fired after one season with the Raiders. General Manager John Spytek has acknowledged that he could have done more to place Smith in a more advantageous position for success.

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Smith's career has seen a notable arc, including a previous second-round bust selection by the New York Jets. He has also served as a backup for several teams, including the Jets, New York Giants, Los Angeles Chargers, and Seahawks. While his time in Las Vegas was disappointing, some reports suggest he may still draw interest on the free agent market as an experienced “stopgap” quarterback or a potential high-end backup.

The Raiders’ decision to part ways with Smith signals a significant shift for the franchise, particularly as they hold the top draft selection. The team's struggles under Smith’s leadership, including being sacked 55 times and facing pressure 194 times, contributed to a disappointing season. The subsequent dismissal of coach Pete Carroll further underscores the instability experienced during Smith’s brief stint.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why are the Las Vegas Raiders releasing quarterback Geno Smith?
The Raiders plan to release Geno Smith before Wednesday because he had a difficult season, throwing 17 interceptions, which was the most in the NFL.
Q: What was Geno Smith's record as the Raiders' starting quarterback?
Geno Smith's record as the starting quarterback for the Raiders was 2 wins and 13 losses. The team struggled a lot with him leading the offense.
Q: What happened to coach Pete Carroll with the Raiders?
Coach Pete Carroll, who previously coached Geno Smith in Seattle, was also fired after just one season with the Raiders. This shows the team had a lot of changes.
Q: What might happen to Geno Smith next?
Even though his time with the Raiders was not good, some teams might still want Geno Smith as a backup quarterback because he has a lot of experience.
Q: What does this mean for the Raiders' future?
Releasing Geno Smith and having the first pick in the draft means the Raiders are starting over. They are expected to pick a new quarterback to lead the team.