The Seattle Seahawks reboot with the Las Vegas Raiders went about as poorly as possible with Pete Carroll being fired after just one season. Carroll managed to lead the Raiders to just three wins as Las Vegas finished with a 3-14 record, tied for the worst in the NFL.
The good news for Raiders fans is that all the misery led to the franchise securing the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL draft. Yet, this could be bad news for Geno Smith as the Raiders may look to draft his replacement with this selection.
While Carroll took the fall, Smith deserves a good deal of the blame as well. Smith threw 17 interceptions in 15 appearances while posting an underwhelming 34.2 QBR which ranks 27th in the NFL.
After news broke of Carroll’s firing, Smith initially took to social media to post a photo with his former coach along with a G.O.A.T. (Greatest of All-Time) emoji. Since then Smith has scrubbed all of his posts from Instagram.
HeavyGeno Smith made his feelings known after the Las Vegas Raiders fired Geno Smith. (via Smith’s Instagram Story on January 5, 2026)
Is this an indication that Smith is on his way out of Vegas? With Carroll no longer the Raiders head coach, it is hard to imagine Smith will be Las Vegas’ choice to be the team’s QB1 in 2026.
Here’s what you need to know about Smith and Carroll’s future as the Seahawks prepare for the NFL playoffs.
The Raiders Could Cut Ties With QB Geno Smith After Firing Ex-Seahawks HC Pete Carroll
The challenge for the Raiders is the team signed Smith to a lucrative contract extension when the franchise acquired the former Pro Bowl quarterback last offseason. Smith is technically under contract with Las Vegas through the 2027 season.
The Raiders inked Smith to a two-year, $75 million contract extension and would take an $18.5 million dead cap hit if Las Vegas cuts ties with the quarterback this offseason, per Spotrac. With quarterbacks like Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza and potentially Oregon’s Dante Moore expected to be available in the NFL draft, it will likely be hard for the Raiders to pass on taking a signal-caller.
“The Raiders’ clear need at the top of this draft is finding a franchise quarterback to go with the young offensive playmakers whom Las Vegas has already acquired,” ESPN’s Matt Miller noted in a January 5, 2026, story titled, “Raiders fire Pete Carroll: What’s next for Las Vegas?” “Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Fernando Mendoza (Indiana) is the top passer in this class, and he would represent a clear vision for the future in Las Vegas. His strong pocket-passing ability would pair perfectly with Bowers and complement the (Ashton) Jeanty-led run game.
“Mendoza has thrown 36 touchdown passes and just six interceptions in 14 games. Smith might be retained as a placeholder for the rookie, or he could be on another team next season, but a change at QB is coming.”
Seahawks GM John Schneider Deserves Credit for Choosing Sam Darnold Over Geno Smith
Seahawks general manager John Schneider deserves credit for a massive pivot over the last two offseasons. First, Seattle made the decision to move on from Carroll during the 2024 offseason, despite the legend being the best coach in franchise history.
One year later, Schneider traded Smith and DK Metcalf, replacing the team’s starting quarterback with Sam Darnold. Seattle went 14-3 with Darnold as QB1, and the Seahawks are paying the Pro Bowler less money than the Raiders owe Smith. Additionally, trading Metcalf allowed Jaxson Smith-Njigba to emerge as one of the top wide receivers in the NFL.
Ex-Seahawks QB Geno Smith Has No Words After Raiders Fire Pete Carroll