A name from the highest prevented Sam Darnold from touchdown in Las Vegas.
Las Vegas minority proprietor Tom Brady persuaded the Raiders to not signal the quarterback, based on The Athletic’s Michael Silver.
Brady “was not in favor of that approach” Silver wrote, citing an nameless supply.
As an alternative, the Raiders appeared to a unique former Jets QB in Geno Smith, who they acquired by way of commerce, giving up a third-round decide within the 2025 NFL draft.
Brady preferred the best way Smith “can process and throw the football,” per The Athletic.
Brady and the group most popular Smith’s traits a lot they gave the 34-year-old a two-year, $85.5 million extension with $66.5 million assured.
The irony within the choice to avoid Darnold is that the strikes made by Brady and the Raiders nonetheless influenced his touchdown spot.
On March 13, Sam Darnold signed a three-year contract price $100.5 million with the Seahawks — Smith’s former workforce — marking the fifth franchise cease in his NFL profession.
The deal represented an extended journey to an enormous payday for Darnold.
The beginning of his NFL profession was lower than best: the No. 3 general decide within the 2018 draft, the USC product struggled to realize a foothold with Gang Inexperienced, throwing 45 touchdowns and 39 interceptions over three seasons.
He was traded to the Panthers, the place he began elements of two seasons earlier than being signed by San Francisco as insurance coverage behind starter Brock Purdy, seeing restricted recreation time that season.
He then served because the backup for rookie quarterback JJ McCarthy with the Vikings in 2024, having an unlikely breakout season after McCarthy suffered a season-ending meniscus tear in his first preseason recreation.
Darnold went on to a career-best season with 35 touchdowns and a passer ranking of 102.5 — and a large deal in Seattle.
