The Las Vegas Raiders and Seattle Seahawks shocked everybody ahead of free agency, agreeing a deal that sent Seahawks starting quarterback Geno Smith to Las Vegas. But according to NFL reporter, Albert Breer, Seattle initially had their eyes on a much bigger deal, that included one of the best players in the league.
Seahawks Trade Geno Smith to the Raiders
The Las Vegas Raiders were in need of a quarterback, after striking out on a number of different players at the position in recent years. Many expected the team to acquire one of the many available veteran quarterbacks in free agency. Among those veterans were Raiders coach Pete Carroll’s former Seahawks quarterback, Russell Wilson.
But while Carroll’s Seattle connection seemingly did come into play, it was Wilson’s replacement, Smith, that the Raiders targeted. Smith spent two seasons as Carroll’s starter in Seattle, throwing for 8,159 yards and 51 touchdowns.
Smith spent six seasons without a starting job, after being replaced by Ryan Fitzpatrick two years into his first contract with the Jets. His 2022 comeback year, therefore, was an incredible turnaround, and Smith will now get to, once again, play for the man who took a chance on him three years ago.
Seahawks Initially Tried For Mega-Deal Involving Smith, D.K. Metcalf, and Maxx Crosby
If the Smith trade turned heads, the initial deal that the Seahawks were trying for would have broken necks.
According to Breer, Seattle initially proposed a deal that would see D.K. Metcalf join Smith in Las Vegas, with the Raiders’ $106.5 million edge rusher, Maxx Crosby, going the other way. As Breer writes, the idea was immediately dismissed by the Raiders, who had no intention of letting their star player leave.
The Seahawks opened trade discussions with the Raiders with this blockbuster proposal—Geno Smith and DK Metcalf to Vegas for Maxx Crosby. Vegas QUICKLY shot that down, and told Seattle that Crosby was not available.
But talks continued, and led to Geno becoming a Raider.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) March 8, 2025
Seattle’s willingness to part with both Smith and Metcalf is defendable. Metcalf has himself requested a trade away from the team after six seasons. Smith, now 34 years old, had one year remaining on his Seahawks contract. While a serviceable NFL starter, Smith was unlikely to deliver the success that a new contract would likely have demanded.
Crosby, meanwhile, has proven himself to be one of the NFL’s most feared pass rushers after four successive Pro Bowl selections. Crosby has accumulated 60.5 sacks in 96 appearances and is a relentless, energy-sapping rusher that rarely takes a play off.
For now, though, the tables have turned and it’s the Seahawks who head into free agency with a glaring need at quarterback. Seahawks general manager John Schneider is under fire following the Smith trade, so will hope that news of his attempt to sign Crosby will be viewed as ambition, rather than naivety. Either way, he has work to do in the coming months to save his reputation, and potentially his job.