Geno Smith’s trade to the Las Vegas Raiders is expected to set the NFL’s quarterback carousel in motion.
The veteran signal caller will reunite with Pete Carroll in Sin City, rejoining the head coach he worked with for four years during his time with the Seattle Seahawks.
Smith is entering the final year of his three-year, $75million contract signed back in 2023, and was in talks with Seattle over an extension.
However, the two parties couldn’t come to an agreement, and the quarterback is now heading to Las Vegas.
Not only is Smith’s trade to the Raiders rather unexpected, given the franchise were targeting Matthew Stafford just last week, but it also has major implications across the league.
Several other quarterbacks are now left wondering what the future may hold.
According to NFL Insider Ian Rapoport, Smith’s move is set to impact at least four other stars.
“With Geno Smith headed to the Raiders, the fallout is dramatic,” Rapoport posted on X.
“The Vikings time with Sam Darnold is likely over as they turn their eyes to Daniel Jones, though he has options, with Minnesota and the Indianapolis Colts being among them.
“Aaron Rodgers lurks, considering the New York Giants with the Vikings as a dark horse.
“Justin Fields has a strong market, as the Pittsburgh Steelers work to re-sign him, but the New York Jets and others have interest.”
As Rapoport has mentioned, Darnold’s future is certainly intriguing.
He is coming off a career year that featured 4,319 passing yards, 35 touchdowns and a 102.5 rating.
With free agency opening next week, Darnold is inching closer toward becoming available to the highest bidder.
Minnesota chose not to place the franchise tag on him, suggesting there wasn’t much of a market for the QB.
But with the Seahawks trading away their starter in Smith, Darnold’s situation could heat up.
The vacancy in Seattle is seen as a potential landing spot, with multiple reports suggesting Darnold could be on his way to the Pacific Northwest.
Dianna Russini of The Athletic notes that new Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak is familiar with the quarterback, having worked with him during his stint as a backup with the San Francisco 49ers in 2023.
But after Darnold’s career-salvaging season, Seattle will have to pay up.
Spotrac is predicting a market value of around $160m over four years, meaning the QB could command an average annual salary of $40m.
That is certainly an improvement on Darnold’s $10m earnings in 2024.
Smith’s trade could also impact Rodgers, who has been tipped to take the next step in the Brett Favre career arc.
If Darnold doesn’t return to Minnesota, the team will be in need of another veteran.
Rodgers, of course, is available – and Rapoport’s suggestion that the Vikings are a ‘dark horse’ will no doubt intrigue fans.
Many are rooting for him to take the next step in a career that is feeling more and more Favre-esc.
The Vikings welcomed former Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett back in 2009, and he led them to the NFC Championship Game that year.
Could Rodgers do the same in 2025?
It’s certainly an interesting prospect, though with JJ McCarthy waiting in the wings as Minnesota’s future franchise quarterback, it might not make much sense.
But thanks to Smith’s trade to the Raiders, the NFL’s quarterback carousel has been turned on its head, and plenty of crazy story lines are set to unfold in the coming weeks.
Stay up to date with the latest from across the NFL via our talkSPORT Facebook page, and subscribe to our Endzone YouTube channel for news, view and exclusive interviews as we build up to the NFL Draft in April
