In the biggest move yet in what had already been a transformative week for the franchise, the Seahawks have agreed to trade quarterback Geno Smith to the Las Vegas Raiders for a 2025 third-round pick, a source confirmed to the Seattle Times.

The pick, as first reported by The NFL Network, is number 92 of the third round.

The deal is expected to be finalized Wednesday, the day the NFL’s free agent signing period begins.

The trade came after contract talks between the two sides broke down this week.

Smith is entering the final year of a three-year contract that is due to pay him $31 million this season, when including three bonus escalators he hit during the 2024 season..

Smith wanted an extension and a raise and the Seahawks were willing to give it to him with contract talks having gotten serious last week at the NFL scouting combine when Seattle general manager John Schneider met with Smith’s agent, Chafie Fields.

The Seahawks, according to sources and numerous reports, made Smith a firm offer earlier this week.

Albert Beer of SI.com reported that the Seahawks were offering in the $35 million range and that Smith’s side wanted roughly $45 million. A league source told the Times that Seattle’s offer was higher, more in the $40-45 million average range over two years.

Smith’s side was reported — and confirmed by the Times — to have turned that offer down while giving no counter offer.

That caused the Seahawks to then explore trade options.

The Raiders were an obvious potential suitor from the start due to the presence of former Seahawks coach Pete Carroll, under whom Smith played for five of his six seasons in Seattle.

Bree reported that the Seahawks initially made a “blockbuster proposal” of Smith and receiver DK Metcalf for rush end Maxx Crosby. Breer reported the Raiders turned that deal down quickly but talks continued. Crosby signed a new contract with the Raiders Wednesday.

Smith’s current deal included a $44.5 million cap hit for the 2025 season that it was known the team hoped to decrease drastically. The Raiders are taking on all of Smith’s $31 million for 2025, a source confirmed.

That deal included a $16 million roster bonus due on March 17, which had been viewed as a deadline for when a new agreement would be reached.

Seattle will save $31 million against the cap while taking a dead cap hit of $13.5 million. That will give Seattle just over $62 million in cap space, eighth or ninth in the NFL in overall cap space, according to OvertheCap.com.

The Seahawks are expected to use that money to now pursue the ranks of the free agent quarterbacks available.

Initial speculation focused on Minnesota’s Sam Darnold. However, others who sources said could be considered include Aaron Rodgers and Justin Fields, and possibly Kirk Cousins if he is released by Atlanta. Schneider worked in Green Bay’s personnel department when Rodgers began his career there in 2005.

Seattle will also explore draft options, though at pick 18 in the first round the top two QBs — Cam Ward of Miami and Shedeur Sanders of Colorado — are expected to be gone, with Ward potentially the top overall pick to Tennessee.

However, a source said one free agent QB who would not be considered is former Seahawk Russell Wilson.

The news comes after an already eventful week with the Seahawks on Wednesday releasing veteran receiver Tyler Lockett and learning that Metcalf had requested a trade.

Schneider and head coach Mike Macdonald had reiterated their faith in Smith’s place as the team’s starting quarterback in 2025 in multiple interviews at the NFL scouting combine last week.

During an appearance with Pro Football Talk, Schneider was asked if there was any doubt that Smith would be the team’s starting quarterback in 2025 and replied “no.”

Macdonald, meanwhile, had said he hoped an extension would get done quickly so the team would stop having to answer questions about Smith’s future.

“I mean, I’d love to announce it right now, that we’re rolling and Geno’s extended, and we can stop getting the question,’’ Macdonald said. “But you’ve got to respect the process, too. And our guys are awesome. The way John handles his relationships with the agents … man, it’s a lot of stuff going on.’’

Macdonald had also given an especially strong endorsement of Smith in an interview with Fox 13 that aired on Super Bowl Sunday saying: “Geno’s our quarterback. I don’t understand the conversation. It’s pretty obvious this guy is a heck of a quarterback. He’s our quarterback. We love him. Can’t wait to go to work with him.”

Schneider, though, had given at least a slight opening to the idea that a deal might not get done in one answer about the negotiations with Smith last week.

“We expect him to be our guy but we want to do what’s right, too,’’ Schneider said at the combine.

Smith, who turns 35 in October, became Seattle’s starter in 2022 following the trade of Wilson to Denver. He ranks fifth in franchise history in attempts (1,749), completions (1,198), passing yards (12,961), and passing touchdowns (76) and set single-season career-highs and franchise records for attempts (578, 4th NFL), completions (407, T2nd NFL), yards (4,320, 4th NFL) and completion percentage (70.42, 5th NFL) in 2024 while becoming the 20th quarterback in NFL history with a 70% completion percentage in a season.

But he also threw 15 interceptions, several at critical times as the Seahawks finished 10-7 and a game shy of making the playoffs when then resulted in the firing of offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb and an overhaul of the offensive coaching staff.

Both Macdonald and Schneider took pains to not place all of the blame for the interceptions on Smith. Macdonald said during an interview with PFT that “that’s not a good take” for anyone to say Smith was to blame for Seattle missing the playoffs in 2024. He also said he thought Smith would be a good fit in the team’s new offense saying “you’ve got to be excited” how he would play in the attack of new coordinator Klint Kubiak.

Smith acknowledged on several occasions last season he had approached the team about an extension during the offseason before the 2024 campaign.

He also had said he felt he deserved to be paid like one of the top QBs in the NFL.

Ultimately, Seattle and Smith differed on his value and once the Seahawks realized a deal might not get done they decided to make a trade and move on quickly in time to find their next quarterback in free agency.

Darnold is set to become a free agent after the Vikings declined to use the franchise tag to keep him.

Darnold, who turns 28 in June, made his first Pro Bowl in 2024 when he took over as Minnesota’s starting QB in the wake of the trade of Kirk Cousins and a knee injury to rookie J.J. McCarthy, throwing for 35 touchdowns against just 12 interceptions and 4,319 yards.

But McCarthy, the 10th overall pick of the 2024 draft, is expected healthy from his meniscus injury and the Vikings want to turn their QB position over to him for the long-term.

Darnold played on a one-year deal with the Vikings in 2024 worth $10 million. Pro Football Focus estimates he could command a three-year deal worth just over $123 million with $70 million guaranteed.

Given Darnold’s youth Seattle may be more willing to commit more years than it may have been with Smith.

And there is a connection there as Darnold spent the 2023 season with the Seahawks when new Seattle offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak served as the offensive passing game specialist.

Seattle also has Sam Howell on its roster after acquiring him in a trade from Washington a year ago. Howell started all 17 games for Washington in 2023 but played in only two games as a backup last year, completing five of 14 passes for 24 yards and an interception, all in a decisive loss to the Packers when Smith was sidelined with a knee injury.

Smith was one of just 24 quarterbacks to start a game for the Seahawks in the franchise’s 49-year history.

But in yet another stunning move for the team, Seattle will have a new starter in 2025.

_____

©2025 The Seattle Times. Visit seattletimes.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.