The Las Vegas Raiders entered the 2025 offseason with a clear need at quarterback. With both draft capital and cap space available, they had plenty of options. However, just before free agency began, Las Vegas made a surprise trade for Geno Smith and is now expected to focus on other roster needs with the No. 6 pick.
While the move to acquire Smith was aggressive, former NFL quarterback Chris Simms believes it also signified that Raiders part-owner Tom Brady had little interest in drafting Shedeur Sanders.
Chris Simms: Tom Brady Only Considered Cam Ward at No. 6
Sanders and Cam Ward had been discussed as top draft prospects, but Sanders’ stock has dipped since the NFL Scouting Combine. The Raiders’ trade for Smith is another sign that they weren’t sold on him.
According to Simms, Brady and the Raiders had their eyes on only one rookie quarterback—Ward.
“I think this was a look of Tom Brady going, I don’t know if we want other quarterbacks not named Cam Ward at No. 6. Let’s just go with a guy that we know can play. He’s a little bit better than people realize, and you trust him, Pete,” he said on “The Dan Patrick Show.”
“He can start and jump-start your culture in the locker room and convey your messages to those guys that way. I certainly think Tom Brady had a say in that, no question.”
There had been speculation that Brady wanted to draft Sanders since the two had grown close after Brady’s TB12 company signed him to an NIL deal. However, many analysts believe Sanders lacks elite upside, which the Raiders need in an incredibly strong AFC West.
Simms also suggested that Pete Carroll likely didn’t want a rookie quarterback either, given his short-term outlook in Las Vegas.
“The head coach, I doubt, wants a rookie quarterback. Pete Caroll knows he’s not there for seven years he’s probably going damn I might got two, three, four at the most, so I need somebody that can hit the ground running doing all that.
“Brady’s seeing it like you’re saying or like I’m saying he’s going, ‘Damn this guy, he’ll push the ball down the field. He moves better than people realize. Yeah, he’s got a little experience. He sees the field, and damn, his arms are powerful’…It buys Brady time and the team time to figure out what they want to do big picture long term for the quarterback because eventually, Brady’s going to figure it out.”
Geno Smith Brings Proven Success to Las Vegas
Smith arrives in Las Vegas after three successful seasons in Seattle, two of which were under Carroll. He won the starting job in 2022, made the Pro Bowl, and led the Seahawks to a 9-8 record and a playoff berth. He threw for 4,282 yards, 30 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions, earning Comeback Player of the Year honors.
In 2023, Smith went 8-7 in 15 starts, finishing with 3,624 yards, 20 touchdowns, and nine interceptions. Seattle posted another 9-8 record but missed the playoffs. Carroll was surprisingly fired after the season, though Smith remained with the team for 2024.
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Last year, Smith had a career-high 4,320 passing yards, 21 touchdowns, and 15 interceptions. He also set career bests in pass attempts (578) and completion percentage (70.4%). Now, he’ll look to bring that same production to the Raiders in 2025.
With a veteran quarterback in place, Las Vegas can focus on filling other roster needs with the No. 6 pick. But as Simms pointed out, Smith’s arrival buys Brady and the Raiders time to plan for their future at the position.