Key Takeaways:
- Raiders expected to draft Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 overall pick
- Geno Smith has cap hit of $26.5M in 2026, $39.5M in 2027
- Releasing Smith would create $18.5M dead cap hit
- FOX Sports has paired Smith with Miami Dolphins as potential landing spot
The Las Vegas Raiders are at a crossroads with quarterback Geno Smith. After a disappointing 2025 season that saw the team secure the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, the Raiders are expected to select quarterback Fernando Mendoza and move on from Smith.
However, the decision is not as simple as it seems. If the Raiders release Smith, they would take on an $18.5 million dead cap hit, on top of already having significant cap commitments. The team would carry $26.5 million in dead cap space for Smith in 2026.
FOX Sports analyst Henry McKenna paired Smith with the Miami Dolphins as a potential landing spot, saying: Smith tenure in Las Vegas was messy. But remember that – just the season prior – he was leading the league in passing yards for the Seattle Seahawks. He is still a good player.
Smith would be playing for his sixth team in his career if he lands with Miami or another team. Despite the struggles in Las Vegas, he showed resilience throughout his career.
The Raiders must weigh the financial implications against the opportunity to build around a young quarterback. It is a delicate balance that will shape the franchise for years to come.
Walk the Plank: Cutting Geno Smith seems like the obvious choice with Fernando Mendoza coming in, but the dead cap hit is concerning. Adding another $18.5 million to an already tight cap situation puts the Raiders in a tough position. They would be fielding a team with less talent because of the money they are paying a guy who is not even on the roster. The smart move might be to keep Geno around for depth – or at least wait until after June 1 when the cap hit could be split. It is not as simple as just cutting him and moving on. The financial realities of the NFL are brutal.
