A rebuilt Raiders team under then-head coach Pete Carroll and general manager John Spytek signed Smith from the Seahawks last offseason. Smith was subsequently signed to a two-year extension, but the move didn’t go the way either side had envisioned.
Playing behind a porous offensive line with a lack of positional talent, Smith threw for 3,025 yards in 15 starts (201.7 yards per game) with 19 touchdowns and a league-worst 17 interceptions in 2025. The 3-14 Raiders had the NFL’s last yardage and possession and punt loss. season with Seattle OC Klint Kubiak hired as new HC last month.
With Smith gone and Kenny Pickett set to enter free agency, the Raiders are left with only their Aidan O’Connellin QB room.
As for Smith, he was once a second-rounder with the New York Jets who became a backup to Gang Green, the New York Giants, the Los Angeles Chargers and the Seahawks. In 2022, however, he resurrected his career in Seattle and earned the first of two Pro Bowl nods.
His time with the Raiders went terribly, but there are likely to be many suitors for his services. Smith could be a high-quality backup, starting a QB competition or a bridge to a young signal-caller.
When Smith leaves Las Vegas, teams like the Arizona Cardinals, Atlanta Falcons, Indianapolis Colts, Kansas City Chiefs, Miami Dolphins, Minnesota Vikings, Pittsburgh Steelers and even the Jets could be viable landing spots.