The NFL world was rocked Friday night after the Seattle Seahawks surprisingly traded quarterback Geno Smith to the Las Vegas Raiders for a 2025 third-round draft pick.
Smith resurrected his career in Seattle while new Raiders head coach Pete Carroll was still leading the Seahawks’ sideline. The veteran signal-caller blossomed into a two-time Pro Bowler and captured the Comeback Player of the Year award in 2022 under Carroll’s guidance.
Smith is coming off a 2024 season where he posted career-highs in passing yards (4,320) and completion percentage (70.4%), while tossing 21 touchdowns. However, he also threw 15 interceptions (third-most in the NFL) and recorded his lowest QBR (53.8) in three years as Seattle’s starter.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Seahawks were working to extend Smith, who enters the final year of his three-year, $75 million contract. When extension talks stalled, the Raiders and Seahawks struck a deal that significantly upgrades Las Vegas’ quarterback situation.
Back story: Seahawks were working to extend Geno Smith’s contract over the past week. When progress was not being made, the Raiders stepped in and showed interest in acquiring Smith. With Seattle struggling to get a new deal done with Smith, they opted for the third-round pick…
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 8, 2025
The Raiders limped to a 4-13 finish last season while cycling through a quarterback carousel of Aidan O’Connell, Gardner Minshew, and Desmond Ridder. The team had previously announced they were releasing Minshew before landing Smith.
With the trade now complete, an NFL insider has revealed what the Seahawks initially wanted in their trade talks for Smith.
NFL insider reveals bold trade package Seattle Seahawks proposed to Las Vegas Raiders
According to Sports Illustrated’s NFL insider Albert Breer, the Seahawks swung for the fences in their initial Smith trade proposal.
“The Seahawks opened trade discussions with the Raiders with this blockbuster proposal—Geno Smith and DK Metcalf to Vegas for Maxx Crosby. Vegas QUICKLY shot that down, and told Seattle that Crosby was not available,” Breer posted on X.
The Seahawks opened trade discussions with the Raiders with this blockbuster proposal—Geno Smith and DK Metcalf to Vegas for Maxx Crosby. Vegas QUICKLY shot that down, and told Seattle that Crosby was not available.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) March 8, 2025
But talks continued, and led to Geno becoming a Raider.
The Raiders refused to part with their franchise cornerstone in Crosby, who recently signed a three-year, $106.5 million contract extension with $91 million guaranteed, making him the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history.
Meanwhile, Metcalf had already requested a trade from the Seahawks before they dealt Smith. Seattle’s front office was reportedly upset with the star wide receiver for making his announcement on the same day the franchise released fan favorite Tyler Lockett.
With Smith now headed to Vegas, the Seahawks are rumored to be targeting Sam Darnold as their next quarterback, a move that could cost them up to $40 million per year.
Related: Las Vegas Raiders could be plotting blockbuster trade in 2025 NFL Draft
