The Las Vegas Raiders have traded veteran quarterback Geno Smith to the New York Jets in a late-round draft pick swap, marking another chapter in the quarterback’s long and winding NFL career.
The trade, reported earlier this month, sends Smith and a seventh-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft from Las Vegas to New York in exchange for a sixth-round pick.
The deal returned Smith to the team that drafted him more than a decade ago.
For Smith, the trade represents a full-circle moment. The Jets selected the quarterback in the second round of the 2013 NFL Draft after a standout collegiate career with the West Virginia Mountaineers.
Smith spent four seasons in New York before bouncing around the league with multiple teams, including the New York Giants, Los Angeles Chargers and the Seattle Seahawks.
Smith revived his career in Seattle beginning in 2022 when he took over as the team’s starting quarterback.
That season he threw for more than 4,200 yards and earned the NFL Comeback Player of the Year award along with a Pro Bowl selection.
His resurgence made him one of the league’s most notable comeback stories and eventually led to a trade to Las Vegas in 2025.
The Raiders acquired Smith from Seattle in exchange for a third-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft as part of a move to stabilize the quarterback position.
At the time, the organization hoped the experienced signal-caller could help guide the franchise through a transitional period.
Smith’s time in Las Vegas, however, was short-lived.
During his lone season with the Raiders, he threw for more than 3,000 yards and 19 touchdowns but also struggled with turnovers, finishing the season with a league-high 17 interceptions.
The Raiders ultimately decided to move on as the franchise continues to reshape its roster heading into the 2026 season. By trading Smith rather than releasing him, the team was able to slightly improve its draft position while clearing cap space and opening the door to explore other options at quarterback.
For the Jets, the move provides a veteran presence at the position after a difficult 2025 season. New York finished near the bottom of the standings and has been searching for stability at quarterback as the organization attempts to rebuild its roster.
Smith’s experience could provide leadership and depth in the locker room as the team prepares for the upcoming season.
At 35 years old, Smith brings more than a decade of NFL experience and has appeared in over 100 career games. Throughout his career, he has passed for more than 22,000 yards and over 120 touchdowns while starting for several different teams.
The trade highlights the unpredictable nature of NFL careers.
Once a struggling young quarterback early in his tenure with the Jets, Smith eventually rebuilt his reputation in Seattle before once again finding himself on the move.
Now returning to the franchise that first gave him an opportunity in the league, Smith will attempt to bring veteran leadership to a team still searching for answers.
Whether the move proves beneficial for either organization will likely depend on how both teams address their quarterback situations moving forward.
For the Raiders, the trade signals a continued search for a long-term solution at the position, one they will likely address with their number one overall pick in this year’s draft.
For the Jets, it offers a familiar face and a chance to see if a veteran quarterback can help stabilize the offense.
As the NFL offseason continues, the deal stands as another reminder of how quickly circumstances can change in professional football, particularly at the quarterback position.