The Las Vegas Raiders acquire QB Geno Smith in a blockbuster June 2025 move, reuniting him with Pete Carroll. See how Tom Brady shaped this new era.
StatPro NFL Beat Reporter
The quarterback carousel in Las Vegas has officially stopped spinning. On Friday, the Raiders ushered in a new era by acquiring Pro Bowl quarterback Geno Smith, reuniting him with head coach Pete Carroll and injecting a dose of stability and proven leadership into the most important position on the field. The move, part of a sweeping overhaul, signals a clear and decisive new direction for the Silver and Black.
ESPN has officially named the Raiders the NFL's most improved team of the offseason, a testament to the franchise's aggressive and transformative moves.
The acquisition of Geno Smith is more than just a trade; it's a statement. After years of inconsistency, the Raiders have a quarterback who has not only played at a Pro Bowl level but has thrived in Pete Carroll's system. This reunion is no accident. It's a calculated move to install a veteran presence who can execute the offense from day one. The deal came after new part-owner Tom Brady reportedly vetoed a move for a different top-tier quarterback, giving his stamp of approval to the Smith acquisition and signaling a new power structure in the front office.
Management isn't just stopping with a new quarterback. The Raiders have been aggressive in surrounding Smith with young talent. The draft haul was headlined by explosive rookie running back Ashton Jeanty, the sixth overall pick, who is expected to make an immediate impact. The team also invested heavily in the passing game, adding offensive weapons Jack Bech and Dont’e Thornton Jr. within the first four rounds. This commitment to building through the draft shows a long-term vision to create a sustainable offensive powerhouse.
With new additions come tough goodbyes. The investment in Ashton Jeanty has created a crowded running back room, and reports on Friday indicate that fan-favorite Dylan Laube could be the odd man out before the season begins. While these decisions are difficult, they underscore the competitive, results-driven culture being built. On the offensive line, the competition is just as fierce, with fans on social media rallying behind Jordan Meredith to win the starting guard position after an impressive showing in offseason workouts.
Just as the offensive hype reached a fever pitch, a bombshell dropped on the defensive side of the ball. Star defensive tackle Christian Wilkins, the team's prized free-agent acquisition, could miss the entire 2025 season with a significant injury reported on Friday. Wilkins was signed to be the disruptive anchor in the middle of the defensive line. His potential absence is a catastrophic blow that will test the team's depth and resilience before a single snap is played. The entire defensive scheme may need to be re-evaluated in his absence.
Friday was a microcosm of the modern NFL: a day of soaring optimism and crushing reality. The Raiders are undeniably a more talented and intriguing team with Geno Smith at the helm and a new wave of young talent. But the potential loss of Christian Wilkins is a gut punch that can't be ignored. As the team heads toward training camp, all eyes will be on how the new offensive pieces mesh and, more critically, how the defense can possibly fill the massive void left by its fallen star. The 2025 season just got a lot more interesting, and a lot more challenging.
