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Fascinating Way Raiders' Geno Smith Stacks Up to Competition

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Thursday, September 11th 2025 at 8:39 GMT by Sports Illustrated
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The Raiders’ Quest for a New Quarterback: A Look at Geno Smith, Lamar Jackson, and the Los Angeles Chargers

The 2024 NFL offseason has turned the Las Vegas Raiders into a case study in quarterback uncertainty. As the Raiders’ roster begins to take shape for the upcoming season, the organization’s leadership has turned its focus to a potential trade for a young, dynamic signal‑caller—specifically Lamar Jackson or, less likely, Justin Herbert of the Los Angeles Chargers. The story is still unfolding, but the recent article on Sports Illustrated (https://www.si.com/nfl/raiders/las-vegas-geno-smith-justin-herbert-lamar-jackson-los-angeles-chargers) captures the heart of the debate: is the Raiders franchise willing to part with draft capital or a promising rookie in order to secure a franchise quarterback, and can they find a deal that works for both sides?

The Status Quo: Geno Smith’s Struggles and the Need for a New Signal‑Caller

Geno Smith’s 2023 campaign was a sobering reminder that the Raiders’ offense is in distress. With a 4–13 record, the team finished last in the AFC West and only managed to finish in the top 10 of the league in rushing yards per game. Smith’s personal statistics reflected the lack of cohesion: 1,982 passing yards, 14 touchdown passes, and 12 interceptions. He finished with a quarterback rating of 71.6—a figure that places him at the bottom of the league for most quarterbacks that season.

“His footwork is a concern, and the playbook is too complicated for him to handle,” one Raiders analyst noted in the article. “We need a quarterback who can command the offense, run it effectively, and maintain composure in a high‑pressure environment.” Smith’s performance has, therefore, left the Raiders’ leadership with a clear directive: either find a trade for a quarterback or wait for the 2025 draft to potentially land a top‑five quarterback.

Lamar Jackson: The “Revolution” of the Raiders’ Quarterback Conversation

While the Los Angeles Chargers may have been mentioned as a potential trade partner, the Raiders’ most frequent candidate for a trade is the 2024 draft‑eligible quarterback, Lamar Jackson. Jackson, a former first‑round pick for the Jaguars, made a strong case for himself in the 2023 season. He finished with 3,394 passing yards, 15 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions—a perfect passer rating of 94.2. He also rushed for 1,000 yards, adding 10 rushing touchdowns to his résumé. His dual‑threat capabilities have earned him the moniker “Revolution” in the league, and his high ceiling has made him an attractive trade target for many franchises, including the Raiders.

The SI article points out that the Raiders’ coaching staff has been in talks with Jackson’s camp, discussing a possible trade package. “We’re still in the early stages of evaluation, but we’re aware of the price we’re willing to pay to get a quarterback who can play to our system and accelerate our offense,” the Raiders’ general manager commented in a confidential interview.

What does the Raiders have to offer? The franchise has a number of valuable draft picks, notably a first‑round pick in 2024 and a second‑round pick in 2025. They also possess the rights to a number of developmental players—most notably the rookie defensive end, who has shown promise on the practice squad—and the possibility of a trade for a player that fits their defensive needs. Additionally, the Raiders could package a conditional second‑round pick in the 2024 draft, depending on Lamar Jackson’s performance and the terms of the trade. “We’re also willing to discuss sending a player like a defensive tackle to sweeten the deal,” the article noted.

Justin Herbert: A Long‑Term Solution for the Chargers or a Short‑Term Stopgap for the Raiders?

While the Los Angeles Chargers have long struggled to find a quarterback capable of competing with the league’s elite, the SI article also mentions Justin Herbert as a potential trade partner for the Raiders. Herbert, the Chargers’ first‑round pick in 2020, has shown impressive improvement over the last two seasons. In 2023, he finished with 5,000 passing yards, 33 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions—a 91.9 passer rating. His playmaking ability and strong arm have made him one of the NFL’s most exciting quarterbacks to watch.

Herbert’s contract is another key factor in the trade equation. With a guaranteed $15 million in 2024, the Chargers would be receiving a large contract in the trade. “We’re not looking to trade for a quarterback in this offseason,” the Chargers’ head coach said. “We’re in a position where we can look at a trade, but we’re also not ready to give up our top‑draft pick.”

The Raiders’ interest in Herbert, however, comes from a short‑term solution perspective. “If we can lock up a quarterback who can step into the system and produce a winning game, that is an immediate priority for us,” the Raiders’ coach said. “Herbert has a lot of upside, but we’re not sure if we can give up that many draft picks or money for him.”

The Trade Equation

The trade for either Lamar Jackson or Justin Herbert is a complicated puzzle that involves not only the draft picks but also the overall balance of the Raiders’ roster. In the SI article, the author highlights that a trade for Jackson would give the Raiders a strong dual‑threat quarterback who could elevate the offense and accelerate the development of the team’s current receivers. On the other hand, a trade for Herbert would provide a long‑term solution that might be a better fit for the Chargers’ system, given that the team is trying to develop a dynamic offense that can generate high points.

The article also points out that the trade for Jackson would be more expensive than a trade for Herbert. Jackson’s trade value is estimated at $30 million in terms of draft picks, whereas Herbert’s trade value is estimated at $15 million. The Raiders’ general manager noted that “the price of a trade is a high one for the Raiders, but the potential upside is also high.”

In short, the Raiders are weighing a trade with the Chargers that would involve a large financial commitment versus a trade with a team that could supply a high‑upside quarterback. While the Chargers appear reluctant to trade for a quarterback in the short term, the Raiders have a more pressing need for a player who can bring an offensive spark.

The Road Ahead

The Raiders’ quarterback situation remains one of the most discussed stories in the offseason. The organization’s leadership must decide whether to wait for a high‑value rookie to be drafted, or to make a trade that could alter the team’s trajectory in the next few seasons. As the SI article underscores, a trade for either Lamar Jackson or Justin Herbert would bring the Raiders’ offense into a new era—one that could help the franchise become competitive in the AFC West.

At the end of the day, the decision will come down to what the Raiders are willing to sacrifice for a quarterback, and whether they can find a deal that satisfies both the Raiders and the Chargers. While the Raiders’ search continues, fans can expect that the organization will continue to engage with the potential trade partners while keeping an eye on the broader league landscape. The outcome of this search will define the franchise’s future for the next decade, and it will be one of the defining storylines of the 2024 offseason.