Pete Carroll does not need his first 12 months as coach of the Las Vegas Raiders to be a rebuilding course of. He desires to get the ball rolling as quickly as doable — and that turned clearer Friday when the Raiders despatched a 2025 third-round decide to the Seattle Seahawks for Geno Smith, reuniting the veteran quarterback along with his former coach.
Smith was a two-time Professional Bowl choice underneath Carroll and recorded 8,641 passing yards, 55 touchdowns and 21 interceptions in 37 video games.
The Raiders had plans to guage each avenue to discover a quarterback. However the important thing was discovering somebody who will assist the franchise be aggressive in 2025. The Raiders tried to lure Matthew Stafford from the Los Angeles Rams final week however had been unsuccessful.
As for the Seahawks, they’ll save $31 million in money and cap house whereas taking over $13.5 million in useless cash. Seattle can even have one other alternative to discover a long-term reply at quarterback.
Taking a better look, ESPN reporters Ryan McFadden and Brady Henderson reply 4 large questions concerning the commerce, together with what comes subsequent. Nationwide reporter Jeremy Fowler dishes on matches at quarterback for Seattle, analyst Ben Solak weighs in and draft analyst Matt Miller appears to be like ahead to the draft for each groups.
Are the Seahawks heading for an entire rebuild?
No, however they’re going to have some large holes to fill — beginning at quarterback and doubtlessly broad receiver relying on what occurs with DK Metcalf’s commerce request. The Seahawks are buying and selling Smith not as a result of they need to embrace a full rebuild however as a result of they have been skeptical of his viability as their long-term starter given his age and up-and-down play. And with the 2 sides not seeing eye-to-eye on his worth as they tried to barter an extension, the crew is getting what it could possibly for Smith now as a substitute of getting him play out the ultimate 12 months of his deal.
The Seahawks thought once they traded for Sam Howell 12 months in the past that he had the potential to succeed Smith as their starter, however nothing he confirmed final season suggests he is able to take over, not to mention take Seattle to the playoffs. They’re going to want a quarterback, however coming off a 10-7 season, they need to discipline a stable roster round no matter veteran — Sam Darnold? Aaron Rodgers? Justin Fields? — they tab to interchange Smith. As for the releases of Tyler Lockett and 4 different veterans this week, these had been logical choices — with contracts not justifying manufacturing — that the Seahawks would have made in any 12 months. — Henderson
How does Smith match within the offense the Raiders are constructing with new coordinator Chip Kelly?
The Raiders struggled to attain in 2024, ending twenty ninth in factors per sport (18.2). Smith and Kelly ought to enhance that in 2025. Smith threw for greater than 4,000 yards for the second time in three seasons. Tight finish Brock Bowers was one of many high go catchers within the league final season regardless of shaky quarterback play from Gardner Minshew and Aidan O’Connell. Pairing him with Smith may do wonders for Kelly’s offense.
Kelly is thought for working up-tempo offenses, however he modified his method to assist Ohio State win a nationwide title. He ought to be capable of design a inventive run sport that balances the offense and supplies much less stress on the quarterback — which has been the objective for the brand new regime. — McFadden
What different wants stay for the Raiders to be viable contenders within the AFC West?
Buying Smith answered the largest query on the Raiders’ roster, however there’s nonetheless work. The Raiders have a handful of wants, particularly on offense in the event that they need to compete in a division that featured three groups making the postseason in 2024 and the AFC champion Kansas Metropolis Chiefs. Las Vegas might want to enhance at working again after ending final in dashing yards (79.8) per sport in 2024. With the No. 6 decide within the draft, Las Vegas may handle that want by taking Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty.
Las Vegas additionally has so as to add one other playmaker. Bowers and broad receiver Jakobi Meyers are stable choices. Nonetheless, the Raiders nonetheless want a No. 1 broad receiver. The Raiders are anticipated to do their due diligence in free company for a wideout, a league supply instructed ESPN. However the potential of buying and selling for a large receiver should not be dominated out both. — McFadden
Will the Seahawks nonetheless take into account buying and selling Metcalf?
The higher query could be this: Will Metcalf rethink his commerce request with Smith gone? Cash tends to speak louder than the rest, but when any a part of Metcalf’s discontent over the previous few seasons has been rooted in his need to catch passes from a quarterback aside from Smith, then maybe his stance will change. No matter what Metcalf desires, basic supervisor John Schneider has made it clear that he’ll do what’s greatest for the Seahawks. Meaning buying and selling Metcalf to the crew that provides Seattle the most effective provide — or not buying and selling him and having him play out the ultimate 12 months of his deal absent an extension.
Earlier than agreeing to the commerce for Smith, the Seahawks and Raiders additionally mentioned a deal involving Metcalf, so Las Vegas would possibly nonetheless be a crew to look at. That would not fulfill his reported need to play for a contender, however that will not be Schneider’s concern. From a monetary standpoint, the $31 million the Seahawks save in money and cap house with the Smith commerce theoretically makes it simpler to suit a Metcalf extension into their funds. They need to have north of $60 million in cap house heading into free company. — Henderson
Which quarterbacks may the Seahawks look to sign up free company?
The Seahawks now have a clean canvas to improve their quarterbacks. The choices are plentiful, however all carry danger. A pure match could be the Atlanta Falcons’ Kirk Cousins, who was with offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak in Minnesota. However Atlanta has not proven a willingness to maneuver Cousins. Darnold would be the high free agent passer and in addition has familiarity with that system. Seattle could be smart to at the very least gauge his market.
A Rodgers experiment could be intriguing however may not match with the tradition Macdonald is making an attempt to construct. After that, Seattle could be taking a look at more cost effective choices resembling Fields or Daniel Jones. A Russell Wilson reunion appears unlikely. And it is value noting that Schneider hasn’t taken a giant swing on a first-round quarterback. No higher time than now, regardless of what’s perceived as a weak quarterback class. — Fowler
How does this modification the draft plan for every crew?
The Raiders buying and selling a third-rounder for Smith successfully takes them out of the quarterback combine, at the very least early on this draft. At No. 6 total, Las Vegas can now be a real “greatest participant out there” crew prefer it was when it took Bowers at No. 13 final 12 months. Jeanty, defensive finish Shemar Stewart (Texas A&M) and even an offensive lineman like Will Campbell (LSU) are out of the blue all in play.
For Seattle … nicely, every thing is on the desk for a crew that was a playoff contender final season however now appears to be resetting. However going quarterback at No. 18 is not possible except Shedeur Sanders (Colorado) remains to be on the board. Seattle has been linked to Jaxson Dart (Ole Miss) and Quinn Ewers (Texas) as second-round choices, although. The Seahawks decide at No. 50 in Spherical 2. In Spherical 1, I believe the Seahawks may take into account drafting an offensive sort out like Armand Membou (Missouri). Membou is superior on the transfer because of his energy and quickness, and he is versatile sufficient to play anyplace. That may be a dream match. — Miller
What ought to the Seahawks do at QB for 2025?
The Seahawks ought to signal a bridge quarterback and draft a speculative QB2 within the center rounds. Keep in mind, Schneider drafted Wilson within the third spherical in 2012 and obtained nice worth from Smith as a free agent signing in 2019. Darnold is the best bridge candidate as a result of he has the best ceiling and a few familiarity with Kubiak from their shared 12 months in San Francisco. However that solely applies if he is signed to a cope with just one or two years of actual cash. That may give Seattle an out if Darnold will get outplayed by a midround choice on a rookie deal resembling Jalen Milroe (Alabama) or Tyler Shough (Louisville). Jones would additionally match as an satisfactory bridge choice if Seattle cannot afford Darnold.
After all, neither a bridge nor a rookie has a lot probability of growing into one thing extra till the Seahawks’ offensive line is fastened. That is still Seattle’s largest offseason precedence. — Solak
