The Seattle Seahawks wanted Maxx Crosby. They tried offering Geno Smith and DK Metcalf to the Las Vegas Raiders to make it happen. The Raiders? They didn’t even hesitate—Crosby wasn’t on the table.
Seattle ended up settling for a third-round pick instead, shipping Smith to Las Vegas. This move wasn’t just about money. It was about Seattle giving up on Smith after two straight playoff misses and a quarterback market that didn’t offer them much hope.
For the Raiders, this was their backup plan. Matthew Stafford was their first choice, but after he turned them down, they needed a quarterback. So, Pete Carroll—who coached Smith in Seattle—gave him another shot.
Seattle Seahawks got desperate, tried offering Geno Smith and DK Metcalf for Maxx Crosby before settling for a third-round pick
Seattle didn’t start this trade with a simple offer. They wanted a game-changer. Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer reported that the Seahawks pitched Geno Smith and DK Metcalf for Maxx Crosby, hoping to land one of the league’s top pass rushers.
The Las Vegas Raiders didn’t even blink. Crosby wasn’t going anywhere. And once he signed a record-breaking extension, that door slammed shut. Seattle pivoted and took what they could get—a 2025 third-round pick.
Seattle’s willingness to part with Metcalf? That’s telling. They weren’t just done with Smith—they were open to blowing up the offense.
Seattle Seahawks moved on from Geno Smith after two seasons of “good but not good enough” football
Smith’s 2024 numbers weren’t terrible, but they weren’t keeping Seattle in contention. He finished with 4,320 yards, 21 touchdowns, and 15 interceptions, but his 53.8 QBR was his lowest since taking over as the Seahawks’ starter.
Seattle missed the playoffs two years in a row, and head coach Mike Macdonald never gave a strong endorsement of Smith’s future. That wasn’t a coincidence.
The Seahawks needed to make a decision before March 16, when Smith’s $16 million roster bonus was due. His $44.5 million cap hit wasn’t worth it, and an extension wouldn’t have saved much money.
The problem? Seattle didn’t have a clear upgrade. The 2025 NFL Draft won’t give them a top prospect unless they trade up from the 18th pick. Free agency is weak—Russell Wilson, Sam Darnold, and Justin Fields lead the list, and none of them are sure things. Michael Silver of The Athletic reported that Seattle has its eye on Darnold, but that’s just another gamble.
General manager John Schneider cut his losses. No long-term plan, no perfect replacement—just time to move on.
Las Vegas Raiders land Geno Smith after getting rejected by Matthew Stafford, banking on Pete Carroll’s reunion magic
The Las Vegas Raiders didn’t want Geno Smith first. They wanted Matthew Stafford. And they made a huge offer.
The Athletic’s Vic Tafur and Tashan Reed reported that Las Vegas was prepared to throw $90 to $100 million over two years at Stafford. The Los Angeles Rams quarterback said no, choosing stability over a massive payday.
“Stafford decided not to uproot his family in the twilight of his career, despite the chance to likely make more money with the Raiders or the New York Giants,” Tafur and Reed wrote.
“The Raiders, led by minority owner Tom Brady, made a strong pitch and were willing to give Stafford a two-year deal for around $90 to 100 million once the trade parameters were worked out, according to league sources.”
With Stafford out, the Raiders needed a QB. Pete Carroll, now running the show in Vegas, turned to his old starter.
The Raiders have been lost at quarterback since dumping Derek Carr. Jimmy Garoppolo lasted six games before getting benched. Aidan O’Connell and Gardner Minshew II took turns failing. The Raiders finished 29th in scoring.
Now, Geno Smith is QB1. The Raiders hope he can do for them what he did in Seattle—steady the ship. But let’s not sugarcoat it. Smith wasn’t enough to keep Seattle competitive. Now, he’s the backup plan for a team that already had a backup plan fail.
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