The Geno Smith, Las Vegas Raiders train has come to a screeching halt. Although it’s true Pete Carroll has an incredibly high admiration for Smith, the problem is, so does Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald.
When asked by Fox 13’s Aaron Levine if Smith would be Seattle’s starting quarterback in 2025, Macdonald wasted little time answering. “Yeah, heck yeah, man,” the second-year head coach replied. “Geno’s our quarterback. I don’t really understand the conversation.”
Carroll, who’s made it clear that he’s in win-now mode, will look to add a veteran quarterback to his roster in hopes of piling up wins quickly. Unfortunately for him, Smith, one of his “All-time favorite guys,” isn’t an option.
However, hope of adding that veteran presence under center isn’t lost. In fact, ESPN’s Adam Schefter believes the Raiders will target Sam Darnold.
Adam Schefter believes Pete Carroll, Las Vegas Raiders will chase Sam Darnold this offseason
Schefter joined The Pat McAfee Show on Monday to talk Raiders football, and what options exist for the Silver and Black as far as a veteran under center goes. The mutual respect Raiders minority owner Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers have for each other makes Rodgers an interesting candidate for the position, just as the connection between Russell Wilson and Pete Carroll makes for an interesting conversation about ‘getting the band back together‘.
But as far as Schefter’s concerned, Sam Darnold is the quarterback Sin City will go after.
“I think the Raiders are going to make a play for Sam Darnold,” Schefter said.
While Schefter used the specific verbiage “I think,” make no mistake; this isn’t merely a guess. As Q Myers has said, who’s had Schefter on his show, the Locked On Raiders podcast, Schefter doesn’t typically just give an opinion. Instead, the NFL insider uses factual information at his disposal to arrive at a conclusion.
This is that.
It must be said that acquiring Darnold is no different than acquiring Smith, in the lens of the ball being out of the Raiders’ court. As is the case with Smith, the only way Las Vegas would be able to land Darnold is if the Minnesota Vikings agree to let the 27-year-old signal caller leave.
Although, unlike Smith, the Vikings drafted a quarterback in the first-round of the 2024 NFL Draft. One who they hope can lead their team for years to come. In saying that, however, it’s not at all a stretch to say the Vikings can only hope for J.J. McCarthy to perform anywhere close to the level Darnold did this season moving forward. That being the case, why not keep the player who already is what you hope your rookie can become?
In any case, that’s for the Vikings to decide. If Minnesota is ready to roll with McCarthy, the Raiders may start their ’25 campaign with Darnold under center.
*Top Photo: Jeffrey Becker/ Imagn Images
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