The Las Vegas Raiders have already answered the largest query of their offseason by hiring veteran head coach Pete Carroll and making a surprise trade for Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith.
Following Gardner Minshew II’s launch, Smith is anticipated to instantly step in because the Raiders’ beginning quarterback in 12 months 1 of Carroll’s tenure, with incumbent Aidan O’Connell backing him up.
Nonetheless, a latest social media submit has reignited rumors in regards to the Raiders’ 2025 NFL Draft plans and what it might imply for Smith’s long-term future with the staff.
Shedeur Sanders, Geno Smith Take Viral Picture, Fueling Raiders QB Rumors
Smith completed fifteenth in PFSN’s QB+ rankings in 2024, ending the marketing campaign with a 77.6 QB+ grade. Whereas removed from elite, that was a greater end than each O’Connell (twentieth, 73.8 grade) and Minshew (thirty fifth, 60.6).
Smith isn’t a long-term answer, and the Raiders have much less expertise on their roster than the Seahawks have had in latest seasons. Nonetheless, for the menial value of a third-round choose (and a $31 million cap hit), he might help Carroll usher in a brand new period of Las Vegas soccer.
At 34 years outdated, Smith received’t be the Raiders’ franchise QB for years to return, which is why a latest viral submit has caught fireplace within the NFL Draft neighborhood.
In an Instagram submit shared by Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders, he and Smith had been seen collectively, seemingly exchanging tales.
Fascinating IG submit from Shedeur Sanders
— Vincent Bonsignore (@VinnyBonsignore) March 16, 2025
The Raiders maintain the No. 6 total choose within the 2025 NFL Draft order, which makes it robust to land a prime quarterback, particularly in a yr the place the consensus is that there are two first-round caliber QB prospects — Sanders and Miami (FL)’s Cam Ward.
Nonetheless, with Ward rising because the consensus prime QB prospect within the class, Sanders might fall sufficient to place the Raiders in hanging distance. In PFSN’s newest 2025 NFL Mock Draft, the New York Giants are projected to pick Sanders at No. 3 total, although the Raiders might at all times commerce as much as safe him.
Sanders is coming off a dominant season, main the Massive 12 in completion price (74.0%), passing yards (4,134), and passing touchdowns (37). He’d be a dynamic addition for any staff searching for a franchise QB.
It’s additionally price noting that Raiders minority proprietor and NFL legend Tom Brady has a robust connection to Sanders and his father, Deion Sanders.
As a four-star quarterback at Trinity Christian Faculty, the youthful Sanders educated with Brady, and in 2022, Brady signed him to an NIL (title, picture, and likeness) cope with Brady’s model with Nobull — the primary athlete he ever signed.
Brady has mentored Sanders over the years and famously texted him after Colorado’s upset win over TCU in 2023, saying: “Don’t be happy.”
It wouldn’t be a shock to see the Raiders make an aggressive play for Sanders, particularly in the event that they wish to give Carroll, 73, a simple transition from Smith (one yr left on his deal) to his subsequent quarterback. If Sanders’ newest submit is any indication, he might already be envisioning himself in Las Vegas.
