Raiders to cut veteran quarterback Gino Smith

The Las Vegas Raiders are cutting QB Geno Smith, barring a trade before the beginning of the new NFL year next week.

By cutting the veteran quarterback, Las Vegas will open up 8 million dollar in salary cap space while taking on 18.5 million dollars in dead money.

Geno inked a 2-year, 75 million dollar extension after being traded from the Seahawks in exchange for last year’s 3^rd-round selection. He earned 40 million dollars in the past year, as the sum was fully guaranteed.

The dead salary cap hit of 18 and a half million dollars is significant, but Las Vegas will avoid paying the veteran an additional 8 and a half million dollars in guarantees by moving on from him before the 3^rd day of the 2026 NFL year.

At the beginning, Las Vegas expected that pairing Geno with ex-manager Pete Carroll, whom Smith played under for 6 years with Seattle, would mean that things would work out immediately. However, that doesn’t work out.

Smith started 15 matches for the Raiders and threw for 3,025 yards, 19 TDs, and 17 picks – an NFL high and the most Geno has thrown in a campaign since he threw 21 interceptions as a rookie for the Jets 13 years ago.

More on this topic:

Raiders’ general manager expects Crosby to stay on the team

Geno Smith in 15 games last season:

201.7 YPG
19-17 TD/INT

Won’t last a full calendar year in Las Vegas. pic.twitter.com/2ybT9zv2H9

— StatMuse (@statmuse) March 6, 2026