May 25, 2026 — The Las Vegas Raiders announced Tuesday they will re‑evaluate the quarterback room after a 3‑13 campaign, leaving veteran Geno Smith’s future in doubt. The decision came after a season in which the Raiders posted the league’s lowest passer rating among qualified starters, a negative turnover margin and an offensive line that surrendered sacks at a league‑worst 68.9 per 1,000 snaps. The move underscores a growing consensus among Raiders executives that the franchise must either find a long‑term solution at quarterback through the 2026 draft or secure a proven veteran who can shepherd a rebuilding offense while the line is re‑engineered.
Las Vegas Raiders background — The Raiders entered the 2025 season with a brand‑new front line, drafted in the first round (OT Dylan Parham) and signed in free agency (LT Alex Leatherwood). The intention was to give Geno Smith, a former Pro Bowl signal‑caller who signed a two‑year, $27 million extension in 2023, a stable pocket to operate from. Instead, injuries to Parham (torn ACL in Week 4) and Leatherwood (strained groin in Week 7) forced the Raiders to start three different interior linemen over the final 12 games. The resulting lack of continuity manifested in a sack rate that placed the Raiders 28th out of 32 teams, and a pressure rate that saw defenders at the line of scrimmage on 42% of Smith’s dropbacks.
Smith’s statistical line reflects those struggles: 2,845 passing yards, 58.2% completion, five touchdowns, 13 interceptions and a passer rating of 71.4 — the lowest among all qualified starters (minimum 300 attempts). His 13 interceptions were the most by a Raiders starter since the 2014 season when Derek Carr threw 14. Moreover, Smith’s adjusted yards‑per‑attempt (AY/A) fell to 5.3, a full point below the league average, and his win‑probability added (WPA) was a dismal –0.12, indicating that his play directly reduced the Raiders’ chances of winning each game.
The offensive woes were compounded by a red‑zone efficiency of 38.5%, the worst in the NFL. Running back Josh Jacobs, who rushed for 1,014 yards and 8 touchdowns, was unable to swing the momentum because the Raiders could not convert third‑down opportunities inside the 20‑yard line (13/31). The stagnant offense placed additional pressure on a defense that ranked 19th in points allowed, ultimately contributing to the 3‑13 record.
New York Jets offensive coordinator Aaron Glenn told Sporting News that a veteran signal‑caller could add poise to a unit built around Breece Hall’s rushing threat. Glenn’s comments were echoed by ESPN analysts, who noted that the Jets’ “dynamic passing game” concept aligns with Smith’s 13‑year NFL experience, his ability to read blitzes and his reputation for quick decision‑making under pressure.
What led to the Raiders’ QB dilemma?
Injuries to key linemen forced the Raiders to rely on backups, and the line ranked 28th in sacks allowed. As a result, Smith was pressured on 42% of his dropbacks, a factor that contributed to his 13 interceptions, the most by a Raiders starter since 2014. The pass‑rush pressure not only forced hurried throws but also limited Smith’s ability to execute the deep‑route concepts that head coach Josh McDaniels wanted to integrate after the 2024 season. The run game, anchored by Jacobs, could not compensate, leaving the red‑zone efficiency at a league‑worst level.
Coach Josh McDaniels, who took over the Raiders in 2023 after a successful stint as offensive coordinator in New England, said the decision to prioritize a quarterback in the 2026 draft was “a long‑term commitment to rebuilding the offense.” McDaniels, a former quarterback‑development specialist, has publicly praised the work of offensive line coach Ben Johnson but admitted that the unit’s turnover and lack of depth made it impossible to protect Smith consistently. The front office brass has reportedly set aside $12 million of cap space for a possible trade or free‑agent signing, signaling that a change is imminent.
Beyond the line, the Raiders’ scouting department has been quietly tracking the 2026 quarterback class. Internal memos obtained by the league’s source list Caleb Williams (Cal) and Drake Maye as the top two prospects, with both quarterbacks projected as dual‑threat options capable of thriving in a spread‑set offense—an approach McDaniels has embraced during his tenure in New England. The Raiders’ willingness to allocate significant cap space suggests they may also consider a veteran bridge, a strategy employed by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2023 when they signed veteran quarterback Kenny Pickett’s predecessor on a short‑term deal.
How are the Jets positioning themselves?
Glenn’s interview with ESPN highlighted a desire for “situational football” that could be bolstered by Smith’s veteran poise. The Jets plan to run a spread‑set offense that mixes quick slants, deep post routes and heavy play‑action, leveraging Hall’s 1,200‑yard rushing season to open up deep routes for the quarterback. In 2025, Hall posted a 5.2 yards‑per‑carry average and proved effective in both zone‑read and power‑run schemes, making him a perfect complement to a quarterback who can operate from the shotgun and execute play‑action fakes.
New York’s front office, led by general manager Joe Douglas, has already secured a top‑tier running back in Breece Hall (selected 4th overall in 2022) and added a versatile tight end in Dalton Kincaid (a 2024 first‑round pick). The organization believes that a seasoned quarterback can accelerate the development of its young skill players, a theory supported by the success of veteran‑led turnarounds in recent seasons—most notably the 2023 Miami Dolphins, who added veteran Tua Tagovailoa and saw a 4‑game improvement.
Financially, the Jets sit under the salary‑cap ceiling with roughly $10 million in dead‑money, leaving room for a mid‑range contract. If they lock in Smith, they could sign him to a two‑year, $28 million deal that would keep the cap flexible for a 2027 free‑agent class. The Jets also retain a 2025 second‑round pick that could be leveraged in a trade for a higher‑caliber quarterback if Smith’s performance declines during the 2026 preseason.
Key Developments
- Smith finished the 2025 season with 13 interceptions, the most by a Raiders starter since 2014.
- Glenn emphasized the need to “create problems defenses can’t solve,” a philosophy that aligns with Smith’s ability to extend plays under pressure.
- The Jets’ offensive scheme will feature increased play‑action, leveraging Hall’s 1,200‑yard rushing season to open up deep routes for Smith.
- Las Vegas has allocated $12 million of cap space for a potential QB trade or free‑agent signing, according to team insiders.
- Raiders head coach Josh McDaniels confirmed that the 2026 draft will prioritize a quarterback prospect, with Caleb Williams and Drake Maye topping the scouting reports.
Historical Context and League‑wide Implications
The Raiders are not the first franchise to pivot from a veteran quarterback to a high‑draft pick after a sub‑par season. In 2018, the Cleveland Browns dismissed veteran Tyrod Taylor in favor of drafting Baker Mayfield, a move that reshaped the organization’s payroll and roster construction for the next three years. Similarly, the Tennessee Titans transitioned from veteran Ryan Tannehill to a first‑round pick (Kyler Murray) in 2022, albeit with mixed results. The Raiders’ situation is unique because they retain a quarterback with proven durability and a relatively low salary cap hit, making the decision more about strategic direction than financial necessity.
From a league perspective, the 2026 draft class is projected to be quarterback‑heavy, with at least five prospects projected as first‑round talent. If the Raiders select a quarterback, they could catalyze a cascade effect, prompting other teams with veteran QBs—such as the Chicago Bears (Justin Fields) and the Detroit Lions (Jared Goff)—to reassess their own plans. The Jets’ interest in Smith adds another layer: a veteran could be a market test for the Raiders’ willingness to negotiate a trade, potentially involving a mid‑round pick and a defensive lineman to satisfy both salary‑cap and depth needs.
Impact and What’s Next
If the Jets lock in Smith, the Raiders could accelerate a rebuild by drafting a young quarterback in the first round, a move that would align with McDaniels’ long‑term vision. Conversely, retaining Smith would give Vegas a short‑term stabilizer while the offensive line is rebuilt under new coordinator Eric Bieniemy, who was hired in January 2026 to install a zone‑blocking scheme aimed at improving interior protection. The decision will ripple through free agency, as a vacant quarterback slot may attract veteran talent looking for a starting role—players such as Kirk Cousins, who is projected to become a free agent in 2027, or Marcus Mariota, who has expressed interest in a mentorship role.
Both franchises are expected to hold private meetings later this month. Sources close to the Jets say they will present a formal offer to the Raiders’ front office before the NFL’s July 1 free‑agency lock‑in. The Raiders, meanwhile, have scheduled a meeting with the NFL’s Management Council to discuss potential trade compensation for Smith, should they decide to move on.
Who might replace Geno Smith if the Raiders move on?
The Raiders are expected to target a first‑round quarterback in the 2026 draft, with Caleb Williams and Drake Maye leading the list. In the interim, a veteran like Kirk Cousins could be signed to bridge the gap, or the team could explore a trade for a proven starter such as Derek Carr, who is expected to be a free agent after the 2026 season.
What offensive changes could the Jets make with a new quarterback?
Glenn plans to run a spread‑set offense that mixes quick slants, deep post routes and heavy play‑action, using Breece Hall’s rushing threat to keep defenses honest. The scheme will also incorporate a series of RPO (run‑pass option) plays that leverage a quarterback’s ability to read linebackers, a skill set Smith has demonstrated throughout his career.
How did Geno Smith perform statistically with the Raiders?
Smith completed 58.2% of his passes for 2,845 yards, threw 13 interceptions and only five touchdowns, and posted a passer rating of 71.4, marking the poorest season of his career. His adjusted yards‑per‑attempt (5.3) and WPA (‑0.12) were both well below league averages, underscoring the impact of a collapsing offensive line and a stagnant running game.
