Raiders release Geno Smith and cut guard Alex Cappa

Smith is poised to be a one-and-done starter in Las Vegas. In 15 starts for the Raiders in 2025, he completed 67.4% of his passes for 3,025 yards, 19 touchdowns and an NFL-high 17 interceptions, according to Pro Football Reference.

Geno posts, then lets it ride

Not long after the news hit, Smith posted a brief message on social media: “ALL PRAISE IS DUE TO THE MOST HIGH.” The post read like a shrug and a signoff, especially with the league calendar about to flip.

Cappa is the next domino

Later Friday, the Raiders announced they released Cappa, an interior lineman brought in ahead of the 2025 season. Cappa played all 17 games last year and made eight starts, per the AP report and his Pro Football Reference game log.

Money talks, and so does the draft

The Smith decision looks like a cap call first and a football call second, but the message is the same either way. Las Vegas is clearing room, creating options and setting the table for a new quarterback plan as free agency approaches and the draft board comes into focus.

The Raiders now head into March with openings at quarterback and along the interior line, two spots that shaped last season’s frustration. If this is the teardown phase, it is happening fast and in public.