“Could Geno Smith’s New Deal Signal a Surprise Twist in Raiders’ Draft Strategy?”

As the NFL draft approaches, the landscape of team strategies is constantly shifting, especially when it comes to quarterback decisions. One name that has stirred quite a bit of conversation lately is Geno Smith, whose recent contract extension with the Raiders has led to mixed interpretations about the team’s future in the draft. Are they locked into Smith, or could they still be eyeing a new signal-caller at pick six? The short answer is: it’s complicated. While some pundits might write off the Raiders as a contender for a rookie quarterback, the reality is that Smith’s two-year deal doesn’t tie their hands. In fact, it could very well open up possibilities, especially with intriguing prospects like Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders making waves. So, what does this really mean for the Raiders’ draft plans? Buckle up as we dive into this question, exploring the nuances of Smith’s contract and what it might mean for the team’s quarterback future. To dig deeper into the details of Smith’s deal, you can LEARN MORE.

Not necessarily.Bottom line? It doesn’t rule Sanders out. It doesn’t rule Sanders in. Ultimately, the Smith contract shouldn’t affect the decision, one way or the other.There’s a chance Sanders won’t be on the board at No. 6. If he is, and if the Raiders believe he can be the long-term answer, the Smith contract doesn’t keep them from doing it.But it doesn’t take the Raiders out of the running for a quarterback. And Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders continues to be the most intriguing option at No. 6.The point is this. Smith’s contract doesn’t rule it out. So if they were interested before making the trade and negotiating the extension, the Smith contract doesn’t prevent it.

With quarterback Geno Smith signed to an extension, the Raiders are out of the running for a quarterback in the early rounds of the draft, right?The Smith contract carries at most a two-year commitment. And if the Raiders are willing to roll the dice on Smith making more than .5 million elsewhere in 2026, they could move on after only one season and a total payment of million.Crazier things have happened. Last year. After the Falcons made a million commitment to Kirk Cousins, they shocked everyone (including Cousins) by taking Michael Penix Jr. at No. 8.Five weeks ago, quarterback Matthew Stafford decided to stay with the Rams. The Raiders moved on to other options at quarterback. The front office reportedly was interested in several veterans (but not Aaron Rodgers). The coaching staff reportedly wasn’t thrilled with the idea of entrusting the job to a rookie. Smith, who had a Seattle connection to new Raiders coach Pete Carroll, became the compromise.