Dec 22, 2024; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) during warmups before the game against the Minnesota Vikings at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images Steven Bisig-Imagn Images

Ex-Seahawks QB named most impactful player traded during 2025 offseason

Originally posted on Seattle Seahawks on SI
By Matt Urben | Last updated May 9, 2025 4:00 PM ET

Last season, the Seattle Seahawks kicked off the Mike Macdonald era with a promising 10-7 record, just barely missing out on the playoffs. Despite nearly winning the NFC West, the Seahawks opted to drastically change things up over the offseason.

The biggest change that Seattle made was at quarterback, trading away veteran Geno Smith and signing Sam Darnold in free agency. Smith, who's been solid since taking over for Russell Wilson in 2022, was shipped to the Las Vegas Raiders where he'll reunite with head coach Pete Carroll.

The Raiders desperately needed a starting quarterback and acquired Smith for just a third-round pick. Smith's contract likely played factor in facilitating a trade, but he's arguably a top-10 quarterback in terms of production.

Tom Blair of NFL.com named Smith as the most impactful player traded during the 2025 NFL offseason.

"Smith brings something more appealing to the table, an element his new team has been without for too long: a high floor," wrote Blair. "In each of the past three seasons, he posted a passer rating of 92.1 or better, which no Raiders QB managed to do in that span."

Reuniting with Carroll was the best situation possible for Smith, whose arrival in Las Vegas gives the team a chance to be competitive in one of the best divisions in football.

"It feels fairly safe to predict Smith will be, well, safe in Vegas, where he'll reunite with Pete Carroll (who first helped him reemerge as a viable NFL starter in Seattle) and be placed at the controls of a Chip Kelly offense fronted by tight end Brock Bowers and stud rookie running back Ashton Jeanty," Blair explained.

Over the last three seasons as the Seahawks' starting quarterback, Smith has passed for 12,226 yards, 71 touchdowns and 35 interceptions while leading the team to a record of 28-23. The Raiders finished last in the AFC West with a 4-13 record last season.