Las Vegas Raiders to Release Quarterback Geno Smith After Disappointing 2025 Campaign
Las Vegas, Saturday, 7 March 2026.
The Raiders will release Smith following a two-win season, absorbing $18.5 million in dead money to pivot toward expected top draft pick Fernando Mendoza.
Financial Fallout and Performance Metrics
The decision to part ways with Geno Smith underscores a costly miscalculation by the Raiders’ front office. By releasing the veteran quarterback at the start of the new league year, the franchise will absorb $18.5 million in dead money against their salary cap, though the move does successfully free up $8 million in spending power [5]. The return on investment for Smith’s brief tenure has been historically poor; having pocketed over $58 million from Las Vegas in a single year [2] while securing only two wins as a starter [2], the organization effectively paid more than 29 million for each victory during the 2025 campaign. This financial inefficiency is compounded by the on-field results, where Smith threw a league-leading 17 interceptions [5] and helmed an offense that finished last in the NFL in both points and yards [1].
Strategic Shift Under Kubiak
This roster move signals the definitive end of the Pete Carroll era, following the head coach’s dismissal after the 3-14 season [1], and marks the first major personnel pivot under new head coach Klint Kubiak [1]. There is a distinct irony in the timeline: Kubiak served as the Seattle Seahawks’ offensive coordinator in 2025 just before Smith was traded to Las Vegas, and his arrival as the Raiders’ head coach has once again precipitated Smith’s departure [2]. The transaction is widely interpreted as a maneuver to clear the quarterback room for Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza, whom the Raiders are expected to select with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft [5].
Market Outlook for Smith
Despite a turbulent 2025 season, the 35-year-old quarterback is not expected to remain a free agent for long [5]. While some analysts now view Smith as a “reclamation project” [4], his previous resume—including two Pro Bowl selections and a career resurrection in Seattle [1]—positions him as a viable option for teams seeking a bridge starter or a high-end backup. Potential suitors reportedly include the Minnesota Vikings, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Atlanta Falcons [1], with the Vikings being heavily connected to the veteran [2]. The Raiders had reportedly been “aggressively” shopping Smith prior to the release decision, but found no trade partners willing to take on his contract [5].