There is no guarantee that Smith is part of the Raiders’ plans beyond 2025. When Las Vegas acquired him, Smith agreed to a two-year extension that eliminated any contract year and demonstrated the Raiders’ commitment to the 35-year-old.
That contract was signed with the belief that Smith and Carroll would last beyond 2025. With just two wins to their names and one in the last 14 weeks, such an expectation is far from guaranteed.
Smith’s extension — a deal worth up to $85.5 million — isn’t financially lethal if the Raiders clean house and decide to move on. He would only count for $18.5 million against their dead cap in 2026 if released in the new league year, and they would clear their cap space entirely if they found a trade partner.
If the Raiders believe Smith was a victim of the circumstances around him — circumstances that included playing behind the NFL’s worst offensive line and somehow finding a way to tally 2,648 yards, 16 touchdowns and 14 interceptions — they’ll stick with him in 2026. But a new administration might want to start over.
For now, Smith is only concerned about his health. He is still working his way back from a shoulder injury that forced him out of Las Vegas’ Week 14 loss to Denver and prevented him from playing against Philadelphia in Week 15. The Raiders travel to Houston in Week 16.
However, this brief distraction does not distract from the bigger picture. Smith knows the Raiders’ performance has been underwhelming. He hopes he will have the opportunity to lead a turnaround.
“It’s our record … There’s no judging,” Smith said. “I control what I can control, which is to go out and play football. If you start looking and thinking about things that are out of your control, I think you lose it. You have to stay focused and that’s what I’m doing.”