Las Vegas Raiders had to be surprised to hear what NFL insiders are reporting after what they saw in 2025
The Raiders will be glad when Geno Smith is gone.
Last season, the Las Vegas Raiders dealt with the annual quarterback issue. Geno Smith was terrible, and the team certainly didn’t help him. Now, with the No. 1 pick, the Raiders are focused on finally getting their franchise quarterback in Fernando Mendoza.
This raises a key question: what will happen to Geno Smith once the draft arrives in late April? Does he remain on the team in a veteran role for Mendoza, or is he cut to save $8 million in cap space? My answer leans toward the latter. After that, Smith’s next steps remain uncertain. However, new scenarios have emerged, as one ESPN insider reports that the NFC is interested in Smith.
ESPN insiders say multiple teams may be interested in Raiders QB Geno Smith
For example, ESPN insider Jeremy Fowler specifically names the Minnesota Vikings as one team interested in Smith, along with other notable quarterbacks such as Arizona Cardinals QB Kyler Murray, Miami Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa, and Atlanta Falcons QB Kirk Cousins.
Additionally, Dan Graziano notes that several teams believe Smith’s performance was hampered by the Raiders.
“Graziano: Multiple coaches from teams looking to add a QB told me that they were eager to see whether the Raiders would release Smith because they thought his tape from last season suggested he was held back by the Raiders’ offensive system. The Raiders are expected to select Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza with the first pick of the draft, but they’re telling people they’d rather not play a rookie QB in Week 1. So, because they have to pay Smith anyway, they could keep him and start him until Mendoza is ready. If they part ways, there will be interest in Smith.”
If there is no way the Vikings could get Arizona Cardinals QB Kyler Murray, you have to think Smith is the next guy they’d like. That gives the Raiders a bit of potential ammunition to at least get a sixth or seventh rounder back from Smith, rather than getting nothing. But, then again, there’s likely not a team willing to do that, so who knows. This is the NFL, where things get crazy this time of year. Now, this is certainly a situation to keep tabs on.
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