Pro Football Talk has the details on the quarterback’s contract and the Raiders have an out after two seasons
It was reported that the Las Vegas Raiders and starting quarterback Geno Smith reached an agreement on a two-year, $85.5 million max value contract extension earlier this week, which essentially meant Smith is on a three-year, $116.5 million deal in Las Vegas. However, as we’ve come to know over the years, the initial reports often include non-guaranteed or “fluff” money.
Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio recently reported the details of Smith’s extension and the contract functions more like a two-year, $66.5 million agreement.
“Per a source with knowledge of the terms, Smith’s 2025 compensation increased from $31 million to $40 million,” Florio wrote on Thursday. “In 2026, Smith has a base salary of $26.5 million. Of that amount, $18.5 million is fully guaranteed at signing. The remaining $8 million is guaranteed for injury; it becomes fully guaranteed on the third day of the 2026 league year. In 2027, Smith is due to make a non-guaranteed salary of $39.5 million.
“…The Raiders could still pull the plug (or trade the contract) after one season. Since he presumably wouldn’t play in 2026 for total compensation of $18.5 million, the Raiders could ultimately owe him nothing beyond the $40 million he’ll make in 2025. …Either way, the third year is an obvious team-held option. If they keep him beyond 2025, it’s a two-year, $66.5 million contract with 2027 TBD.”
Overall, this seems like a pretty good deal for Las Vegas. The offense gets a legitimate starting quarterback for a couple of years but the organization isn’t tied to the 34-year-old (who turns 35 in October) if a younger-signal caller comes along. So, that could leave the door open to adding a quarterback during the 2025 NFL Draft later this month.
In Other Raiders’ Links:
- Darien Porter the ultimate Pete Carroll corner: a film breakdown on what the Iowa State product could bring to Las Vegas.
- Trade for James Cook: “He has averaged 4.9 yards per carry in his career and had 16 rushing touchdowns last season. He is still young, he will turn 26 in September,” Silver and Black Pride’s Bill Williamson wrote. “But he will be expensive and older than a running back the Raiders could take in this draft.
- 5-Round mock draft: Las Vegas added Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe in the third round via Chad Reuter’s mock, in addition to three other offensive players and one defender.
- Janarius Robinson signs with enemy: the free-agent defensive end reached an agreement with the Kansas City Chiefs, according to Robinson’s agency.