Geno Smith’s Fresh Start: How His Yardage and Completion Percentage Affect Fantasy Owners in Las Vegas
The 2025 NFL season is shaping up to be a pivotal one for veteran quarterback Geno Smith. After a surprising trade that sent him from the Seattle Seahawks to the Las Vegas Raiders, Smith finds himself in a new environment with a fresh set of challenges and opportunities. But how will this move impact fantasy football owners who have relied on Smith’s production in recent years? Let’s dive into the details of Smith’s situation and what fantasy managers can expect.
The Trade: A New Chapter in Vegas
In a move that sent shockwaves through the NFL, the Seattle Seahawks traded Geno Smith to the Las Vegas Raiders for a third-round pick. This move reunited Smith with Raiders head coach Pete Carroll, who previously coached him in Seattle. The Raiders, in desperate need of a reliable quarterback, saw Smith as a viable option to lead their offense.
Adding to the surprise, the Raiders quickly signed Smith to a two-year, $85.5 million contract extension, solidifying their commitment to him as their starting quarterback. The deal includes $66.5 million in guarantees, signaling the Raiders’ belief in Smith’s ability to lead their team.
2024: A Season of Milestones and Incentives
Before the trade, Geno Smith had a productive 2024 season with the Seahawks, setting career highs and franchise records in several categories. He completed 407 of 578 pass attempts for 4,320 yards, achieving a completion percentage of 70.2%. He also threw for 21 touchdowns and 15 interceptions, finishing with a passer rating of 93.2.
Smith’s performance in 2024 was not only statistically impressive but also financially rewarding. He had several performance-based incentives in his contract, and his Week 18 performance against the Los Angeles Rams helped him secure a $6 million bonus. These incentives were tied to specific benchmarks, including:
- Completion Percentage: Maintaining a completion rate of 69.755% or higher.
- Passing Yards: Exceeding 4,282 passing yards for the season.
- Team Wins: Leading the Seahawks to 10 wins.
Smith successfully met all three of these criteria, earning himself a significant payday and demonstrating his value to the team.
Fantasy Football Impact: Raiders Edition
With Smith now in Las Vegas, fantasy football owners are eager to understand how his new situation will affect his fantasy value. Several factors come into play when evaluating Smith’s potential in 2025:
- New Offensive Coordinator: The Raiders have a new offensive coordinator in Chip Kelly, who is known for his uptempo offensive schemes. This could lead to more pass attempts and opportunities for Smith to accumulate fantasy points.
- Receiving Weapons: Smith will have a new set of receiving weapons in Las Vegas, including tight end Brock Bowers and wide receiver Jakobi Meyers. Bowers, in particular, is expected to be a key target for Smith, potentially becoming the consensus No. 1 tight end in fantasy drafts.
- Offensive Line: The Raiders’ offensive line has been a concern in recent years, but if they can improve their pass protection, it could give Smith more time to make plays and increase his fantasy production.
Geno Smith’s Fantasy Outlook for 2025
Given these factors, what can fantasy football owners expect from Geno Smith in 2025?
- QB2 Potential: Smith has the potential to be a solid QB2 in fantasy leagues, providing a reliable option for teams that don’t invest heavily in the quarterback position.
- Improved Completion Percentage: Smith’s accuracy has been a strength in recent years, and he could continue to excel in this area with his new team.
- Increased Yardage: With a potentially uptempo offense and talented receiving weapons, Smith could see an increase in his passing yardage, making him a valuable asset in fantasy leagues.
The Bottom Line
Geno Smith’s trade to the Las Vegas Raiders marks a new chapter in his career, and it could have a significant impact on fantasy football owners. While there are still some uncertainties surrounding his new situation, Smith has the potential to be a valuable fantasy asset in 2025. Fantasy managers should keep a close eye on Smith’s progress during training camp and the preseason to get a better sense of his potential role in the Raiders’ offense.