The Las Vegas Raiders are expected to release quarterback Geno Smith as the new league year starts, clearing roughly $8 million in salary cap space but leaving an $18.5 million dead cap hit as well. He’ll be replaced by Heisman Trophy-winner Fernando Mendoza, who is projected to be selected No. 1 overall by the Raiders in the upcoming draft.

Smith, Las Vegas’ starter in 2025, had a rough go of things to say the least. He was sacked 55 times, which prevented him from getting into a rhythm in Chip Kelly’s offense. He racked up 3,025 passing yards and threw 19 touchdowns, but his 17 interceptions are seriously abysmal.

The 35-year-old looked like he was revitalizing his career by signing a two-year extension with the Raiders to be their starter last offseason, especially after an impressive tenure with the Seattle Seahawks that resulted in his trade to Las Vegas. Now, Smith will be looking for his next opportunity — but the quarterback market is already saturated with guys like Kyler Murray, Kirk Cousins and Malik Willis who will attract a myriad of suitors. Those that consider bringing in Smith will have to decide whether he’s still starting material or just a high-quality insurance policy at QB2. Let’s evaluate some of those options.

Arizona Cardinals

With Murray finally off the books, Arizona has to stick with Jacoby Brissett for the 2026 season since there are no other first-round quarterbacks worth taking at No. 3 overall after Mendoza. The free agency market has other intriguing options, but Smith may be the most economical choice to back up or even compete with Brissett.

New head coach Mike LaFleur wouldn’t be blamed for being skeptical of Smith, but with $48 million in cap space to work with, there are other more pressing positions to splurge on. The Cardinals can use a Brissett-Smith tandem to embrace a “soft tank” for a rookie passer in 2027 like Texas’ Arch Manning or Oregon’s Dante Moore.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Aaron Rodgers is gone, and new head coach Mike McCarthy will need to find a capable starter. Smith should be McCarthy’s last phone call if that’s his approach to the free agency market, but there’s a good chance last year’s QB3, Will Howard, could be elevated in 2026. Mason Rudolph remains an option, but he’s better served as a backup.

Smith would be a cheap(er) insurance policy in the event Howard isn’t ready for the spotlight and Rudolph gets injured (or simply can’t cut it). Out of anybody in that QB room, Smith would be the most experienced, and that can’t be discounted. 2026 is expected to be a transition year for the franchise anyways, so the pressure for Smith to win would be off (somewhat; these are Steelers fans, after all).

Minnesota Vikings

We’ve been talking about it for months now: J.J. McCarthy needs healthy competition to force his game to develop. Head coach Kevin O’Connell may want the front office to make a big swing for Murray, but if the Vikings are outbid, Smith would be a solid plan B (or C or D).

Some have viewed the next quarterback Minnesota signs as a tryout candidate to give O’Connell cover to hit the eject button on McCarthy via a trade or as a cap casualty in 2027. Smith wouldn’t be that at all; he’s no Sam Darnold. Rather, he’d send the team on a similar hypothetical path as Arizona. We all saw what UDFA Max Brosmer is capable of, so it can’t get much worse with Smith on the field.

Green Bay Packers

With Willis expected to be the top QB on the market, Green Bay will have to find a backup for Jordan Love. Relying on Smith wouldn’t be ideal, but the whole goal would be to not use him if the Packers don’t have to.

But Willis was used multiple times in 2025 because of Love’s health issues. Head coach Matt LaFleur would be gambling on Smith’s ability to re-kindle his Seattle success, and that may pay off considering it would be required in short bursts instead of across the long haul of a full season. Smith only has a year or two left to give anyways, so Green Bay wouldn’t be stuck with him if it didn’t work out like in Las Vegas.