Due to contract disputes with quarterback Geno Smith, the Seattle Seahawks were put in a difficult position this offseason. One that the Las Vegas Raiders would come to benefit from.
It started when Seahawks general manager John Schneider put an extension on the table for Smith to stick around long-term. Not only did the 34-year-old signal caller refuse the deal, but he didn’t bother making a counter-offer of any kind.
A separation was all but certain.
Ultimately, the team decided to trade Geno Smith to the Las Vegas Raiders for a third-round pick in April’s draft. A deal that wasn’t a good one for the Seahawks, as Bleacher Report claims.
Coincidentally, Seattle decided to use their pick obtained in the Smith trade on a quarterback of their own. Even after signing Sam Darnold to a three-year, $100.5 million deal in free agency.
In the end, the Seahawks and Raiders swapped Geno Smith for Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe. That’s the main factor in the logistics of this transaction.
Bleacher Report analyst Kristopher Knox recently revisited this swap heading into training camp, giving his thoughts on this transaction. Knox gave the Raiders an ‘A’ while the Seahawks earned a ‘C’ grade.
It’s a win for the Las Vegas Raiders
Knox kept his assessment of Geno Smith simple and accurate.
“He’s a Pro Bowl-caliber signal caller at his best,” Knox said. “The team should have a chance to open a playoff window within the next couple seasons.”
As a matter of fact, Smith has been voted into the Pro Bowl twice. Additionally, Sin City’s new quarterback is also the winner of the 2022 Comeback Player of the Year Award.
The seasoned veteran under center brings stability to a franchise that has not had reliable quarterback play since Derek Carr.
On the other hand, Milroe is a surreal raw talent who will need more time to put the pieces together before he’s ready to start. That’s where Sam Darnold comes in, who was paid handsomely to quarterback in the meantime while teaching his rookie position-mate a thing or two about succeeding in the National Football League.
Comparing Sam Darnold to Geno Smith: Similar stories
Although they are many years apart, Smith and Darnold have lived similar careers in the NFL.
Both were originally drafted by the New York Jets and failed to live up to their expectations early on. Smith threw 21 interceptions in 2013 while Darnold was responsible for 15 during the ’18 season.
Years later, both grew into the respected signal callers they are today–but there is one discrepancy.
Smith has been a successful starting quarterback for three seasons. On the other hand, 2024 was the breakout season for Darnold, and the Minnesota Vikings believed J.J. McCarthy was a better investment.
Only time will tell which players prosper in their new destinations. Without the power of hindsight, Knox feels confident the Las Vegas Raiders are the winners of the Geno Smith trade.
*Top Photo: Ethan Miller /Getty Images
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