Las Vegas Raiders Set to Cut Quarterback Geno Smith Before March 11

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.