The Seattle Seahawks traded starting quarterback Geno Smith to the Las Vegas Raiders during the offseason and replaced him with Sam Darnold, replicating their successful 2022 Russell Wilson trade strategy. The move has propelled Seattle to a 4-2 record while Darnold leads the NFL with 9.6 yards per pass attempt.
Seattle acquired a mid-round draft pick from Las Vegas in the Smith trade and signed Darnold after his career year with the Minnesota Vikings. The Seahawks executed the same high-risk maneuver they used when trading Wilson to the Denver Broncos in 2022.
Darnold has emerged as a dark horse MVP candidate through six weeks of the season. The 28-year-old quarterback signed a contract worth $33.5 million per year, significantly less than the league’s highest-paid passers.
“[Darnold] is a guy on a mission. He’s just so determined for us to be a great team and a great offense,” coach Mike Macdonald said earlier this season. “He’s doing a great job leading us.”
Darnold and wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba have formed one of the league’s most productive partnerships. Smith-Njigba currently leads the NFL in receiving yards.
Smith has thrown a league-leading 10 interceptions through six games with the Raiders. Las Vegas stands at 2-4 despite winning in Week 6, raising questions about the veteran quarterback’s performance.
The Raiders reunited Smith with former Seahawks coach Pete Carroll. Smith is in the final year of his contract after serving as Wilson’s backup before taking over as Seattle’s starter in 2022.
Seattle traded Wilson to Denver in 2022 for a package including two first-round picks and two second-round selections. Wilson signed a five-year, $245 million contract with the Broncos before being benched and eventually released.
The Seahawks replaced Wilson with Smith, who led the NFL in completion percentage during his first season as starter. Seattle has now successfully executed the same quarterback replacement strategy twice in three years.