When the Las Vegas Raiders traded for quarterback Geno Smith, the team knew exactly what they were getting.
Smith has familiarity with new Raiders head coach Pete Carroll from their time together with the Seattle Seahawks. He also has one year remaining on his current deal, with the Raiders absorbing all of his $31 million cap hit for this season. It gives the Raiders some level of stability as they piece together a long-term strategy at the quarterback position.
As it turns out, the Raiders may see Smith as much more than just a stopgap solution.