The Las Vegas Raiders put significant resources into the quarterback position this offseason. Following the departure of Derek Carr in 2023, the Raiders stumbled through too sloppy seasons of Jimmy Garoppolo, Aidan O’Connell, Gardner Minshew, and Brian Hoyer.
The Las Vegas Raiders invested in Geno Smith
The Raiders gave new head coach Pete Carroll an upgrade and a familiar face, sending the Seattle Seahawks the No. 92 pick in the 2025 draft in exchange for Geno Smith. Smith had some of his best seasons under Carroll.
Last week, the Raiders signed Smith to a two-year contract extension worth $75 million.
One would think Las Vegas is committed to Smith. However, a report Wednesday from Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz undercuts that narrative.
Shedeur Sanders is set to meet with the Raiders
Per Schultz, the Raiders are meeting with Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Shedeur Sanders before the draft.
“Sources: Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders is scheduled to visit the Raiders early next week,” Schultz posted on X. “Las Vegas holds the No. 6 pick in the draft. They have been doing work on QBs and have other QB prospects also coming into their building.”
Sources: Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders is scheduled to visit the #Raiders early next week.
Las Vegas holds the No. 6 pick in the draft. They have been doing work on QBs and have other QB prospects also coming into their building. https://t.co/skupbeofmR pic.twitter.com/iMKl5Cu0Jl
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) April 9, 2025
A succession plan for the Raiders?
Sanders is expected to be a first-round pick, so the Raiders would have to use the No. 6 pick to land the Colorado star. Drafting Sanders would mean the Raiders have an immediate succession plan for Smith weeks after they gave him a contract extension.
The Atlanta Falcons did something similar last season when they drafted Michael Penix Jr. in the same offseason they signed Kirk Cousins to a four-year deal worth $160 million. Now the Falcons have two starting-caliber quarterbacks and the option to trade Cousins before the upcoming season.
If Sanders is the guy, no one will fault the Raiders for trading for Smith and then drafting another quarterback at No. 6. At 34, Las Vegas needs to add another quarterback to the roster who can be a franchise quarterback.
While Smith is a solid transition quarterback, he’s not going to be a five-year guy for the Raiders.
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