Geno Smith’s NFL journey has been marked by a notable redemption, evolving from a struggling starter in New York to a reliable quarterback in Seattle. After serving as Russell Wilson’s backup from 2019 through 2021, Smith became the Seahawks’ starter for three seasons. In the latest offseason, the Seahawks traded him to the Las Vegas Raiders for a third-round draft pick after failing to agree on a contract extension. This move elevates Smith as a significant upgrade for the Raiders, who are now better positioned to challenge division rivals in the <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/football/nfl/afc/”>AFC West with him at the helm.
Quarterback rankings and expert perspective on Smith’s skill set
A recent ranking by The Athletic, compiled from the insights of 50 NFL coaches and executives, placed Geno Smith 19th among NFL quarterbacks for the 2025 season. During this evaluation, an anonymous defensive coordinator offered a candid view of Smith’s abilities:
“Geno is pretty good at everything, but nothing stands out as an elite trait,” a defensive coordinator said. “There is not one X-Man power where you are like f—, this guy.”
The Raiders quarterback was classified in Tier 3, a group characterized by players considered legitimate starters who require a strong running game or a robust defense to maximize winning chances. Other quarterbacks in this tier include Kyler Murray, Aaron Rodgers, Tua Tagovailoa, Trevor Lawrence, Bo Nix, Sam Darnold, Drake Maye, Caleb Williams, Bryce Young, and Kirk Cousins.
Comparing Geno Smith with his Seattle replacement Sam Darnold
Following Geno Smith’s departure, the Seattle Seahawks signed Sam Darnold to a three-year contract as a free agent. Originally selected third overall in the 2018 NFL Draft, Darnold enjoyed a productive season with the Minnesota Vikings before joining Seattle. In The Athletic’s rankings, Darnold ranked just below Smith, tied in the 20th spot alongside Bo Nix. Another voter explained the difference between the two signal-callers:
“Sam, when you put the pieces around him, has a higher ceiling,” another voter said. “This is wild to say, but Geno is maybe better if your team is bad. Sam is better if your team is good.”
In Week 1 of the preseason, Smith returned to Seattle as the Raiders faced the Seahawks, where he was involved in an incident with a fan but expressed affection for the city during a postgame interview.
Implications for the 2025 NFL season and future outlook
Geno Smith’s arrival in Las Vegas sets an important tone for the Raiders as they look to improve their standing in the AFC West. Although experts recognize Smith as a well-rounded quarterback, the absence of a standout elite trait suggests the Raiders will need a strong supporting cast, including a reliable running game and defense, to contend effectively. The quarterback tiers and evaluations hint that Smith’s success will depend on team synergy, while comparisons to Sam Darnold emphasize the influence of surrounding talent on a quarterback’s potential ceiling.