The Las Vegas Raiders are sending a familiar face to New York, reuniting a former starter with famed “tank commander” Geno Smith after a surprising trade.
The Raiders have traded offensive lineman Jordan Meredith to the New York Jets, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, with the two teams swapping picks. Vegas is shipping a 2029 seventh rounder along with Meredith. Meanwhile, the Raiders receive a 2027 sixth-rounder. Meredith started at center for Las Vegas in Week 1 last season but struggled at the position, and after another offseason failing to lock down the job, he was on the roster bubble heading into cuts.
Jordan and Geno will now lead the Jets to the No. 1 pick…
For the Raiders, this clears up a crowded and uncertain interior offensive line picture. Rather than simply releasing a player who’d flashed promise at guard in years past, Las Vegas found a trade partner and recouped a small asset instead of losing Meredith for nothing. It also signals the team has settled on its center answer without him, freeing a roster spot for a lineman better suited to the position or scheme. The return isn’t significant, just a swap of late round picks, but it’s a better outcome than an outright cut for a former contributor.
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Meredith now reunites with Smith, his teammate in Las Vegas last season. What New York does with him is unclear. A move back to guard, where he showed more promise earlier in his career, seems more realistic than another shot at center, though teams are often desperate for center depth and could give him another look there.
Expect the Jets to work Meredith in as versatile interior line depth rather than an immediate starter, at least to begin the season.
Does this trade signal the Raiders have finally settled their center situation, or is more line shuffling coming before Week 1?
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