Latest Raiders Rumors on Geno Smith's Future Amid Fernando Mendoza Buzz Ahead of 2026 NFL Draft

The Las Vegas Raiders may not be quick to move on from quarterback Geno Smith as Indiana's Fernando Mendoza is the consensus favorite to go first overall in the 2026 NFL draft, according to ESPN's Dan Graziano.

Graziano reported Smith would have a relatively strong market if the Raiders cut him this spring. However, Las Vegas is "telling people they'd rather not play a rookie QB in Week 1."

This could be a bluff because a trade is much more beneficial to the Raiders than releasing Smith outright.

Offloading the two-time Pro Bowler before March 13 would save $8 million but put $18.5 million in dead money on the books. The same is true if he's designated as a post-June 1 release.

Trading Smith, on the other hand, would turn that $26.5 million all into savings.

Granted, there is some logic to Las Vegas holding onto the veteran passer as an insurance policy for Mendoza or a stopgap starter until the Heisman Trophy winner is ready to take the job.

Fernando Mendoza Heisman Reel

01:53

The Raiders already have a lot of salary cap space, so they don't necessarily need to cut Smith from that standpoint.

There shouldn't be a ton of urgency to start Mendoza in Week 1, either, if he looks like a work in progress during training camp.

Las Vegas is in the midst of a rebuild and unlikely to contend in 2026. Along with that, the franchise hired Klint Kubiak as head coach with an eye toward the long term. He can afford to be patient with a young quarterback.

Nobody will have any misapprehensions if Mendoza is ultimately the pick for the Raiders.

Smith, who's signed through 2027, will be on borrowed time in Sin City, and a trade could suit both he and the team. When good backups are hard to find, heading into the season with him on the roster also makes sense.