The Raiders are entrusting Geno Smith to turn the franchise’s fortunes.
Less than a month after acquiring him from the Seahawks and reuniting him with Pete Carroll, the Raiders have agreed to a deal with Smith on a two-year, $75 million contract extension that includes $66.5 million guaranteed and can reach $85.5 million based on incentives, according to multiple reports.
The deal gives some added security for the 34-year-old, who was entering the final year of the three-year, $75 million contract he previously signed with Seattle.
The former Jets draft bust got a chance to be a full-time starter again with the Seahawks in 2022, nine years after the Jets took him in the second round, and he completely changed the course of his career, throwing for 4,282 yards, 30 touchdowns and 11 interceptions that season to earn his first Pro Bowl nod.
He followed that up by throwing for 3,624 yards, 20 touchdowns and nine interceptions in 15 games in 2023 before recording 4,320 yards, 21 touchdowns and 15 interceptions in 17 games this past season.
Smith went 28-24 as Seattle’s starter.
The Seahawks opted to sign another Jets draft pick who later turned his career around, Sam Darnold, to a three-year, $100.5 million contract in March after he led the Vikings to a 14-3 season in 2024.
The Raiders traded a third-round pick in this year’s NFL draft for Smith after toiling through a 4-13 season with Gardner Minshew and Aidan O’Connell at quarterback.
Las Vegas fired Antonio Pierce after his first full season as the team’s head coach and replaced him with the 73-year-old Carroll, who will try to make one last run at a second Super Bowl with a familiar face under center.
