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Raiders Made Best Move of Free Agency Week: ESPN

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Levi Dombro | Last updated Mar 18, 2025 2:06 PM ET

Many have accused first-time general manager John Spytek of being asleep at the wheel in his first offseason with the Las Vegas Raiders. However, ESPN's Field Yates had positive things to say about the franchise when asked what the best move of the NFL offseason has been so far.

"The Raiders trading for quarterback Geno Smith," wrote Yates. "For a team searching for quarterback certainty, there may not have been a better available option than Smith. ... Securing a starter at the most important position for just a third-round pick was too good to pass up. Familiarity with coach Pete Carroll only emboldens my confidence in this acquisition."

Smith played for the Seattle Seahawks for five seasons, the first four of which were under Pete Carroll. In his two years as a starter, he was selected to two Pro Bowls and won the NFL Comeback Player of the Year Award in 2022.

While he did regress under new coach Mike Macdonald last year, he is expected to pick up where he left off with coach Carroll in 2025. He will be the best starting quarterback that the Raiders have had since Derek Carr in 2016.

Third-year signal-caller Aidan O'Connell will figure to be his primary backup unless the team takes a young player in the NFL Draft next month. Regardless, Smith is a high-end starter who immediately raises the floor of this Las Vegas team, and for once, the national media agrees with a move that the Raiders made.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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