The Geno Smith period in Las Vegas is formally over. There have been rumors that the Raiders would launch Smith forward of the brand new league yr, however they’re as a substitute sending him to the New York Jets, in response to CBS Sports activities lead NFL insider Jonathan Jones. The Raiders will obtain a swap of late-round picks in return, buying a 2026 sixth-round choose (No. 208) in change for Smith and a seventh-rounder (No. 228), per Jones.
The Raiders can even eat the majority of Smith’s contract for the 2026 season. He’s set to attract a base wage of $26.5 million in 2026, $18.5 million of which is assured. The Jets will take Smith on a wage across the league minimal, per a number of experiences.
Smith started his profession with the Jets again in 2013, when New York made him a second-round choose at No. 39 general. He lasted 4 years in New York, making simply 33 appearances and 30 begins. He went 12-18 because the starter, finishing solely 57.9% of his passes at a median of 6.9 yards per try, with 28 touchdowns in opposition to 36 interceptions.
He then bounced across the league for a number of years earlier than touchdown in Seattle and finally turning into a starter for the Seahawks. In three-plus years as Seattle’s prime signal-caller, Smith confirmed large enchancment, finishing 68.5% of his passes at 7.4 yards per try, with 76 touchdowns and 36 interceptions in 54 video games and 52 begins.
He was traded to the Raiders final offseason in change for a third-round choose, then signed a three-year, $75 million contract with Las Vegas. His one season with the Raiders was a catastrophe, although, with Smith averaging simply 6.8 yards per try and main the NFL with 17 interceptions because the Raiders slumped to the worst document within the NFL.
Now, the Raiders transfer on and transition to what’s possible the Fernando Mendoza period as they put together to take the previous Indiana Hoosiers quarterback with the No. 1 general choose on this yr’s draft. The Jets, in the meantime, purchase their bridge starter for 2026 on a low-cost deal and tackle no assured cash sooner or later as they put together to amass their subsequent quarterback of the long run in 2027.
For extra 2026 NFL free company protection:
Jets: B
New York did nicely to amass a bridge quarterback for primarily no value. Transferring down simply 20 spots within the draft isn’t a lot to pay for a quarterback who will make across the league minimal after the Raiders cowl a lot of the price and Smith reworks the rest of his contract.
If Smith bounces again from his dreadful 2025 marketing campaign, the Jets could have solid-or-better quarterback play as they try to rebuild their roster — and he might certainly do higher in what needs to be an improved offensive setting.
If he struggles once more, the Jets will not be too pleased with their funding … however even that has its benefits. They possible wish to find yourself at or close to the highest of the 2027 draft to amass their quarterback of the long run.
Raiders: B
Las Vegas was going to chop Smith and did a minimum of find yourself with one thing in return, even when it was solely a swap of late-round draft picks. We’ll must see precisely how a lot of Smith’s wage the Raiders will tackle and the way a lot of a monetary distinction that makes from what would have occurred had they easy designated him for launch and brought on an $18.5 million useless cap hit with $8 million in financial savings.
Both manner, they’re clearly shifting into the Mendoza period, even when they’ll possible signal a veteran to switch Smith and function a mentor and doable bridge starter till they really feel the No. 1 choose is able to play.
