The Las Vegas Raiders have made a bold move to secure their quarterback of the future, agreeing to a blockbuster two-year contract extension with Geno Smith worth up to $85.5 million, including $66.5 million in guaranteed money. The deal, finalized on Thursday, locks in the veteran signal-caller through the 2027 season and signals the franchise’s commitment to building around the 34-year-old former Pro Bowler.
Smith, who was traded to the Raiders from the Seattle Seahawks nearly a month ago in exchange for a 2025 third-round pick, wasted no time proving his value to the organization. The extension, first reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter, boosts Smith’s compensation significantly, raising his 2025 earnings from $31 million (under his previous Seahawks deal) to $40 million. In 2026, he is slated to earn a base salary of $26.5 million—$18.5 million of which is fully guaranteed at signing, with the remaining $8 million guaranteed for injury. The contract also includes a non-guaranteed $39.5 million salary for 2027, offering the Raiders flexibility to reassess after two seasons.
The signing reunites Smith with first-year Raiders head coach Pete Carroll, under whom he revitalized his career during a successful stint with the Seahawks. In 2024, Smith threw for 4,320 yards, 21 touchdowns, and 15 interceptions, showcasing his ability to lead an offense despite Seattle’s struggles to reach the postseason. Now, with a fresh start in Las Vegas, he aims to end the Raiders’ playoff drought, which has persisted since their last appearance in 2022.
“This is a game-changer for us,” Carroll said in a press conference earlier this week, hinting at the impending extension. “Geno is an immediate fix, and we’re going to get a number of years from him at his very best.” The Raiders, who stumbled to a 4-13 record in 2024 while cycling through quarterbacks Gardner Minshew, Aidan O’Connell, and Desmond Ridder, view Smith as the stabilizing force they’ve desperately needed.
The financial details of the deal place Smith among the NFL’s mid-tier earners at the quarterback position, with an average annual value of $37.5 million. This ranks him just below stars like Matthew Stafford and Patrick Mahomes but reflects his proven track record as one of the league’s most accurate passers in recent years. The contract’s structure also allows the Raiders to potentially pivot after one or two seasons, with only $40 million fully guaranteed for 2025 and limited obligations beyond that if performance or strategy shifts dictate a change.
The move has sparked a mix of reactions across the football world. Some analysts laud the Raiders for securing a reliable veteran to bridge the gap to contention in the competitive AFC West, while others question the wisdom of investing heavily in a quarterback who turns 35 in October. On X, fans and commentators expressed polarized views, with some calling it a “huge bargain” for a player of Smith’s caliber, while others labeled it an overpay for a “disaster franchise.”