At the outset of the offseason, it seemed like the Seattle Seahawks would be running it back with Geno Smith as their quarterback in 2025. Then, seemingly out of nowhere, the Seahawks dealt their two-time Pro Bowl quarterback to the Las Vegas Raiders in exchange for a third-round pick.

Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald was taken aback from a question surrounded by Sam Darnold's starting status. After trading Geno Smith to the Las Vegas Raiders, Seattle saw what Darnold did in his resurgence with Minnesota and acquired him with the thought of being their starter.