No team can assume every decision it makes will work out. While that is the hope, there should be an understanding that some moves won't work. It is the teams that have the majority of their decisions turn out to be net positives that are most successful. This definitely applies to general manager John Schneider and the Seattle Seahawks.
The main reason Schneider deserved to win Executive of the Year in 2025 is for the deals that sent players away. The GM did add key pieces in the draft, of course, and acquired productive players who would also become leaders in the locker room in free agency. But it was sending Geno Smith and DK Metcalf away that opened the door for other moves.
After Smith stopped answering Schneider's calls about working out a potential extension, it was clear that the quarterback was creating the kind of problem that didn't fit with how Schneider and head coach Mike Macdonald were hoping to reset the team's culture. Smith had a volatile temper and was probably giving Russell Wilson vibes as far as thinking he was bigger than the team.
Former Seattle Seahawks QB Geno Smith will probably be looking for a new team soon
The Seahawks worked out a deal with the Las Vegas Raiders for a third-round 2025 draft pick in exchange for Smith, and Seattle rid itself of a locker room problem. With the selection, Schneider chose Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe, who didn't get much of a chance as a rookie but at least had a better attitude than Smith.
Instead, the Raiders were stuck with Geno Smith. They likely learned quickly that he was not their long-term quarterback.
In fact, Smith, just as former Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll was with Vegas in 2025, is likely one season and done with the Raiders. The team went 3-14, and 12s might feel bad for Carroll, as he was always full of positivity and a good person. Fans probably don't feel the same about Smith.
According to NFL.com's Matt Okada, Geno Smith has a decent chance of being released by Vegas. The Raiders are very unlikely to find a trade partner for the QB because why would a team give value back to Vegas for a player who signed an extension after being dealt to Vegas?
Okada writes, "With the No. 1 draft pick in hand and a new regime in place, it’s a near-lock the Raiders will be moving in a new direction at quarterback this offseason. It also didn’t help that Smith finished the 2025 season with 19 touchdowns, a league-high 17 interceptions, and 55 sacks, an atrocious 84.7 passer rating, and what was undoubtedly some of the worst tape in the league (at least according to my eyes)."
While Las Vegas's offensive line was awful, Seattle Seahawks fans also know there is more to the story with Geno Smith taking all those sacks. He has a penchant for holding on to the ball too long in hopes of hitting a big play instead of playing it safe. He hasn't let himself be coached out of that terrible habit.
The Seahawks obviously consider themselves fortunate. New quarterback Sam Darnold led the team to a Super Bowl victory. That wouldn't have happened with Smith. The former Seattle quarterback's future is now unknown. Meanwhile, as long as Darnold stays healthy, Seattle will probably keep winning at a high level.