In the most significant move of what’s already been a busy week for the franchise, the Seattle Seahawks are sending quarterback to the Las Vegas Raiders in exchange for a 2025 third-round pick—No. 92 overall—according to a source confirmed by the Seattle Times. The deal is now official, coinciding with the start of the NFL’s free agent negotiation window.
The trade reportedly came after contract talks between top star and the Seahawks fell apart. He is entering the final season of a three-year contract that would have paid him $31 million in 2025, thanks to performance-based escalators he earned last year. The deal also carried a $44.5 million cap hit for 2025, which the Seahawks had been hoping to reduce. ESPN reports that the Raiders will absorb the full $31 million salary for the upcoming season.
A key date in the negotiations was March 17, when a $16 million roster bonus was due—considered by many to be a soft deadline for resolving the situation.
This move reunites Smith with former Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll, who took over the Raiders in January.
The news follows a flurry of activity for Seattle, including the release of veteran wide receiver Tyler Lockett and a trade request from DK Metcalf.
At last week’s NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, both general manager John Schneider and new head coach Mike Macdonald publicly backed Smith as their starting quarterback. Macdonald, in particular, gave a glowing endorsement during a Super Bowl Sunday interview with Fox 13, saying, “Geno’s our quarterback… we love him.”
Schneider had indicated plans to begin formal negotiations with Smith’s agents during the combine, saying they hoped to do what’s best for both sides.
Smith, who will be 35 in October, took over as Seattle’s starter in 2022 after Russell Wilson was traded to Denver. Since then, he’s climbed to fifth all-time in franchise history in passing attempts, completions, yards, and touchdowns. In 2024, he had a career year statistically, throwing for 4,320 yards with a 70.42% completion rate—both franchise records.
However, he also threw 15 interceptions, many of which came at crucial moments. The Seahawks narrowly missed the playoffs with a 10-7 record, prompting the firing of offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb and a major shake-up of the offensive staff. Both Schneider and Macdonald made it clear they didn’t place all the blame on Smith for the turnovers.
The bigger sticking point in contract discussions appeared to be Smith’s age and perceived market value. He reportedly sought an extension that would pay him among the NFL’s top quarterbacks—possibly in the $40 million per year range—but Seattle wasn’t willing to meet those demands.
Meanwhile, Sam Darnold is hitting free agency after Minnesota chose not to use the franchise tag. Darnold, 28 in June, stepped in for the Vikings following Kirk Cousins’ trade and an injury to rookie J.J. McCarthy. Darnold impressed in 2024, throwing for 35 touchdowns, 12 interceptions, and 4,319 yards while earning his first Pro Bowl nod. With McCarthy returning from injury, the Vikings are expected to hand him the reins moving forward.
Darnold, who played on a one-year, $10 million deal, is projected by Pro Football Focus to earn a three-year deal worth around $123 million with $70 million guaranteed. Reports indicate the Seahawks are determined to pursue Sam Darnold aggressively.
There’s already a link between the two sides—Darnold spent the 2023 season in Seattle, working under Klint Kubiak, who was then the team’s offensive passing game specialist and is now the Seahawks’ offensive coordinator.
The Seahawks also have quarterback Sam Howell on the roster, acquired via trade from Washington last offseason. Howell started all 17 games for Washington in 2023 but appeared in just two games for Seattle last season. In limited action, he completed five of 14 passes for 24 yards and threw one interception, all during a blowout loss to Green Bay while Geno Smith was out with a knee injury.
Smith, notably, was one of only 24 quarterbacks to ever start a game for Seattle in the franchise’s 49-year history.
Now, in another major shakeup, the Seahawks are poised to enter the 2025 season with a new starting quarterback.