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- Las Vegas Raiders. Tom Brady's revolution continues: Raiders release another player following the departures of Maxx Crosby and Geno Smith
The nomadic career of Geno Smith has reached its latest inflection point as the Las Vegas Raiders prepare to release the 35-year-old signal-caller.
After a single season in Nevada that saw the team plummet to a 3-14 finish, the Raiders' front office has signaled a total reboot, anchored by the expected selection of Indiana standout Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 overall pick.
Smith, who was acquired from the Seattle Seahawks last spring to reunite with since-fired coach Pete Carroll, became the league's most intercepted quarterback in 2025.
With a staggering 17 picks and 55 sacks taken across 15 starts, the veteran now faces a market that largely views him as a high-end backup rather than a franchise centerpiece.
Despite the statistical decline, league insiders suggest that Smith's experience could still provide value to organizations looking for insurance behind young starters. Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports recently pointed to the Carolina Panthers as a destination of particular interest.
"Odds are that, in Week 1 of 2026, Geno Smith is going to be someone's backup with the potential to ultimately start if injury happens or bad play takes place," Jones prefaced.
"One place that I would just keep an eye on, the Carolina Panthers. They have Bryce Young, they are issuing the fifth-year option on Bryce Young as he heads into his fourth year, but they are getting rid of Andy Dalton and they need another backup quarterback."
The presence of head coach Dave Canales and offensive coordinator Brad Idzik creates a logical bridge for a short-term deal in Charlotte.
Minnesota and Carolina lead the conversation for Smith's veteran leadership
The Minnesota Vikings represent the second most prominent rumor mill for the veteran's services, though the circumstances there are significantly more volatile.
The fan base remains frustrated by the franchise's decision to let Sam Darnold leave for Seattle, where he eventually led the Seahawks to a Super Bowl title, in favor of a struggling J.J. McCarthy.
With McCarthy failing to secure the job and Minnesota now linked to free agent Kyler Murray, the demand for a stable presence in Kevin O'Connell's offense has never been higher.
Ryan Wilson of CBS Sports noted that Minnesota might be the only place where Smith could potentially "cook" alongside elite talent like Justin Jefferson if given the opportunity.
This latest chapter in Geno Smith's career underscores the ongoing challenges for veteran quarterbacks in the modern NFL, where experience is valued but often only in tandem with a younger, franchise-caliber starter.