{"id":32640,"date":"2026-03-06T12:19:14","date_gmt":"2026-03-06T17:19:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/las-vegas-raiders-set-to-cut-quarterback-geno-smith-before-march-11\/"},"modified":"2026-03-06T12:19:14","modified_gmt":"2026-03-06T17:19:14","slug":"las-vegas-raiders-set-to-cut-quarterback-geno-smith-before-march-11","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/las-vegas-raiders-set-to-cut-quarterback-geno-smith-before-march-11\/","title":{"rendered":"Las Vegas Raiders Set to Cut Quarterback Geno Smith Before March 11"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n

Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith will likely be cut from the roster before March 11, when the NFL’s new league year officially begins, according to multiple reports.<\/p>

While the Raiders are anticipated to select Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the first overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, General Manager John Spytek suggested at last month’s NFL Scouting Combine that the team might prefer not to start a first-year player immediately in Week 1 of the upcoming season.<\/p>

The Raiders’ backup quarterback Kenny Pickett, who stepped in when Smith suffered an injury late in the season, will enter free agency.<\/p>

By releasing Smith following just one year as their starting quarterback, Las Vegas will free up $8 million in salary cap room and avoid triggering an automatic contract guarantee scheduled to activate on March 13.<\/p>

However, cutting Smith will still cost the Raiders $18.5 million in dead money. The team acquired Smith in March 2025 through a trade with the Seattle Seahawks to serve as the starting quarterback under head coach Pete Carroll.<\/p>

Carroll departed after one season, and Smith endured significant punishment playing behind what ranked among the league’s poorest offensive line units.<\/p>

In 15 starting appearances, Smith recorded the NFL’s highest interception total with 17 while throwing for 3,025 yards and 15 touchdowns. He was brought down for sacks 55 times throughout the season.<\/p>

The 35-year-old Smith has now suited up for five different NFL teams since the New York Jets selected him with the 39th pick in the 2013 draft.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The Las Vegas Raiders plan to release quarterback Geno Smith ahead of the NFL’s league year beginning March 11. The move would save the team $8 million in salary cap space while they prepare for the 2026 draft.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":32639,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[836],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-32640","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sports"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/news-1772817554063.jpg?fit=450%2C300&ssl=1","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pbtNqq-8us","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":35450,"url":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/new-york-jets-bring-back-quarterback-geno-smith-in-las-vegas-trade-deal\/","url_meta":{"origin":32640,"position":0},"title":"New York Jets Bring Back Quarterback Geno Smith in Las Vegas Trade Deal","author":"Admin","date":"March 12, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"The New York Jets have acquired veteran quarterback Geno Smith from the Las Vegas Raiders in exchange for draft picks, marking his return to the team that originally drafted him in 2013. Smith, now 35, will rejoin the Jets after spending the last four seasons with Seattle and one with\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Sports"","block_context":{"text":"Sports","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/category\/sports\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/news-1773345954824.jpg?fit=450%2C300&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":35325,"url":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/jets-bring-back-former-qb-geno-smith-in-trade-with-raiders\/","url_meta":{"origin":32640,"position":1},"title":"Jets Bring Back Former QB Geno Smith in Trade with Raiders","author":"Admin","date":"March 12, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"The New York Jets have completed a trade to reacquire quarterback Geno Smith from the Las Vegas Raiders, marking his return to the team that originally drafted him in 2013. The 35-year-old quarterback will take over as the starter for a Jets team looking to bounce back from a disappointing\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Sports"","block_context":{"text":"Sports","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/category\/sports\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/news-1773335278139.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/news-1773335278139.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/news-1773335278139.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/news-1773335278139.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":45260,"url":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/las-vegas-raiders-coach-prefers-rookie-qb-sit-initially-despite-top-draft-pick\/","url_meta":{"origin":32640,"position":2},"title":"Las Vegas Raiders Coach Prefers Rookie QB Sit Initially Despite Top Draft Pick","author":"Admin","date":"March 31, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Las Vegas Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak says he'd prefer potential No. 1 draft pick Fernando Mendoza learn from a veteran quarterback before starting. The team currently has limited quarterback options after trading away Geno Smith and Kenny Pickett.","rel":"","context":"In "Sports"","block_context":{"text":"Sports","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/category\/sports\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/news-1774983069186.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/news-1774983069186.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/news-1774983069186.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/news-1774983069186.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":35153,"url":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/ravens-pull-out-of-trade-deal-for-raiders-star-pass-rusher-maxx-crosby\/","url_meta":{"origin":32640,"position":3},"title":"Ravens Pull Out of Trade Deal for Raiders Star Pass Rusher Maxx Crosby","author":"Admin","date":"March 12, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"The Baltimore Ravens have withdrawn from a previously agreed trade that would have brought Las Vegas Raiders star pass rusher Maxx Crosby to Baltimore for two first-round draft picks. The deal fell through just before the NFL league year began, with Crosby's recent knee surgery potentially playing a role in\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Sports"","block_context":{"text":"Sports","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/category\/sports\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/news-1773320768308.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/news-1773320768308.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/news-1773320768308.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/news-1773320768308.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":26560,"url":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/raiders-gm-outlines-qb-wishlist-at-nfl-combine-mendoza-connection-obvious\/","url_meta":{"origin":32640,"position":4},"title":"Raiders GM Outlines QB Wishlist at NFL Combine, Mendoza Connection Obvious","author":"Admin","date":"February 24, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Las Vegas Raiders General Manager John Spytek detailed his ideal quarterback characteristics at the NFL combine without mentioning Fernando Mendoza by name. However, his description perfectly matches the traits that made Mendoza a Heisman Trophy candidate during Indiana's championship season.","rel":"","context":"In "Sports"","block_context":{"text":"Sports","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/category\/sports\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/news-1771961565439.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/news-1771961565439.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/news-1771961565439.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/news-1771961565439.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":57449,"url":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/raiders-snag-tennessee-cb-mccoy-at-101st-pick-despite-health-concerns\/","url_meta":{"origin":32640,"position":5},"title":"Raiders Snag Tennessee CB McCoy at 101st Pick Despite Health Concerns","author":"Admin","date":"April 25, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Tennessee cornerback Jermod McCoy, initially projected as a first-round talent, fell to the fourth round where Las Vegas selected him 101st overall due to knee injury concerns. The 2026 NFL Draft's final day also saw limited quarterback selections and a surge in tight end picks.","rel":"","context":"In "Sports"","block_context":{"text":"Sports","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/category\/sports\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/news-1777155782774.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/news-1777155782774.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/news-1777155782774.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/news-1777155782774.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/news-1777155782774.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/32640","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=32640"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/32640\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/32639"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=32640"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=32640"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=32640"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}