Who Should I Start? Geno Smith or Kyle Trask

Monday, February 16, 6:12 PM

Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith had an ugly first season with the team, and it likely cost him his starting job. Smith signed a two-year, $75 million deal with the Raiders last offseason, reuniting with head coach Pete Caroll. The reunion didn't result in a successful season. Vegas went 3-14, Carroll was let go, and Smith posted a horrific 19:17 TD:INT ratio with a career-high 55 sacks. One of the few positive storylines of the Raiders' season was that they ended up with the No. 1 draft pick, giving them the right to select any eligible prospect they'd like. Presumably, that player will be Indiana quarterback and national champion Fernando Mendoza. In all likelihood, Mendoza will win the starting job right away. That could move Smith to a backup role, but more likely, the veteran quarterback will be released with one year left on his contract. Releasing him creates $8 million in cap space with $18.5 million in dead money, offering the Raiders a fresh start with Mendoza and first-year head coach Klint Kubiak. Smith should be avoided in all dynasty and redraft leagues.

Monday, August 25, 6:11 PM

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers plan to release quarterback Kyle Trask (shoulder), a source told Jeremy Fowler of ESPN. Trask will revert to Injured Reserve due to a shoulder issue and then work out a settlement or release in order to look for a new team. It means that veteran Teddy Bridgewater will open the 2025 season in Tampa as the primary backup behind starter Baker Mayfield, with undrafted free agent Connor Bazelak serving as the QB3. Trask, 27, was a second-round pick (64th overall) in the 2021 NFL draft out of Florida. He never started a game for the Bucs in his three seasons and appeared in only seven games, going just 4-for-11 passing for 28 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions. Trask will now be looking to get healthy and latch on with another organization and compete for a depth role.