The Minnesota Vikings have one fewer external quarterback option after Tuesday. Signal-caller Geno Smith, who was expected to be released and a potential free agent target for the Vikings, is off the board.
That’s because he’s heading back to the team that drafted him in a trade.
NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported the Las Vegas Raiders agreed to send Smith to the New York Jets in a draft pick swap.
Las Vegas is widely expected to draft Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 pick, clearing the way for Smith to be dealt again at age 35.
Multiple insiders reported on March 6 the Raiders planned to release Smith this offseason. When that news surfaced, pundits began speculating about the possibility of Smith signing with the Vikings.
Las Vegas, though, had yet to officially cut the veteran quarterback. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport explained Tuesday that was intended with the goal of trading Smith.
Unwilling to wait to see if they could sign Smith in free agency, the Jets went ahead and acquired him in a trade.
The end result will be Smith returning to the organization that selected him in the second round of the 2013 NFL Draft. Smith played the first four seasons of his career with the Jets. He also spent the 2017 campaign in New York/New Jersey with the Giants.
For the Vikings, they will have to look elsewhere for a veteran quarterback to compete with J.J. McCarthy. Minnesota still has options in that market, but it won’t be Smith joining the Vikings.
Raiders Trade Geno Smith to Jets: Report
Smith might not have even been one of the top three veteran quarterbacks considered a possibility for the Vikings this offseason. Pundits have connected Minnesota to just about every signal-caller who is or could be available.
With that in mind, the Smith trade might have no impact on the Vikings. But still, it’s better to have more options than fewer.
Insiders have repeatedly stated this offseason the Vikings are in the quarterback market because they want to find competition for McCarthy. In his first season as a starter, McCarthy went 6-4 but threw more interceptions than touchdowns.
Smith was a potential option because of the experience he could bring as an NFL starter and backup. With 13 years in the NFL, Smith could have been a great mentor for McCarthy.
Also, the Vikings may have been able to sign Smith without promising him the starting job. Then, the two quarterbacks could have competed throughout the summer for the starting job in a true competition.
The end result would have been the best performer starting for Kevin O’Connell in Week 1.
But without Smith available, the Vikings will have to shop for quarterback elsewhere.
Vikings Still Favorite to Land Kyler Murray?
Smith’s trade could pass as a mere footnote for the Vikings for one main reason — Kyler Murray.
NFL Network’s Stacy Dales and Ian Rapoport each called Minnesota the “favorite” to sign Murray. Dales hyped the former No. 1 overall pick as a terrific fit for O’Connell’s offense.
Other NFL Network insiders made the same suggestions early this week.
If the Vikings added Murray, though, they are not likely to have the quarterback competition I described with Smith. Murray is a large favorite to be a starter wherever he plays next season.
However, Murray will be cheaper than Smith. Because the Cardinals still owe Murray $36.8 million in guarantees during 2026, the quarterback could sign for the league minimum as Tua Tagovailoa did with the Atlanta Falcons.
Interestingly, Murray is in the same situation as Smith was before his trade. The Cardinals are expected to release Murray, but are holding onto him during the legal tampering period in case a trade materializes.
Potential Vikings QB Target Lands With AFC Foe Before Official Release: Report