‘Don’t be fooled by the $75M deal’ – Raiders could be forced to bench ex-Seahawk Geno Smith in 2025 despite blockbuster contract, as concerns grow over average stats and rising pressure from younger backup Aidan O’Connell - suong

   

The Seattle Seahawks have been criticized for moving on from Geno Smith this offseason. After five years with the franchise, and three as the starter, Smith was traded to the Las Vegas Raiders, where he's been reunited with head coach Pete Carroll.

Smith, who has had a roller-coaster of a career, cashed in as soon as he landed in Vegas, signing a two-year, $75 million contract extension. That should cement him as the starter throughout the next couple of years, but one analyst isn't so sure that's the case.

Rotoballer's Aidin Ebrahimi named six quarterbacks who could be benched during the 2025 season, and Smith made the list. While he admits the Raiders are high on Smith, Ebrahimi says his stats put him in the "average" category, which could lead to them putting in the younger Aidan O'Connell.

Geno Smith throws the ball during Las Vegas Raiders Minicamp
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith throws the ball during Las Vegas Raiders Minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center. / Candice Ward-Imagn Images

"This will likely be a run-heavy team with Ashton Jeanty, so if Smith struggles early on, he could be replaced by O'Connell. And don't let Smith's new contract fool you either. Jimmy Garoppolo signed a three-year, $67.5 million contract with the Raiders in 2023, but was benched for O'Connell in Week 9. It won't be surprising if something similar happened to Smith." -- Ebrahimi

While such a move would absolve Seattle from criticism for trading Smith, they're not in the clear, either. Smith's replacement, Sam Darnold, was also on the short list of players who could be benched. Of course, that's why the Seahawks have an out in his deal in 2026, so they at least know it's a risk.