Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith is signed through 2027, but his leash could be shorter than that.
When digging into the details of Smith’s two-year, $75 million contract extension that has him signed through 2027, the final year of the pact is basically an option, as Las Vegas can easily cut the veteran signal-caller after 2026.
That means Smith’s future in Las Vegas is anything but secure and if he doesn’t get the team moving in the right direction, he could be gone sooner rather than later.
Even if Smith succeeds, the Raiders need to start planning ahead, as the former first-round pick is going to be 35 in October.
In the opinion of Pro Football and Sports Network’s Jacob Infante, the Raiders will not wait long to add Smith’s future replacement. He has Las Vegas drafting Texas quarterback Arch Manning with the No. 9 overall pick in 2026.
Arch Manning enters the 2025 season with just two college starts under his belt, and he still needs to improve his footwork and feel for backside pressure. But he’s a great athlete, sees the field well, and has a live arm with strong off-platform mechanics. He’s not QB1 yet — but he’s a clear top pick in this mock.
Manning has the pedigree and skill set to be a generational quarterback. He has the arm talent and athleticism to be a true difference-maker, with the latter trait being one that his uncles, Eli and Peyton Manning, didn’t have.
However, he still has a lot to prove.
While Manning showed flashes in his limited action in 2024 by completing 67.8% of his passes for 939 yards and nine touchdowns to two interceptions, he doesn’t have a full year as a starter under his belt yet after sitting behind Quinn Ewers.
Furthermore, there’s no guarantee that Manning will enter the 2026 NFL draft after his first season at the helm of Texas’ offense. Manning would have to light the world on fire, and even then he might stay another year.
The Raiders may very well opt to take a quarterback early in the 2026 draft, but Manning is highly unlikely to be that guy for Las Vegas.
Read the full article here