Raiders' new HC Klint Kubiak avoids a disaster waiting to happen for two straight seasons now after recent move

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Justin Churchill | Last updated Mar 6, 2026 3:31 PM ET

Klint Kubiak, the new head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders , steps into his role with a stroke of fortune. Once again, he sidesteps a looming crisis—quarterback Geno Smith. On Friday, reports surfaced that the Raiders are set to release Smith, barring a trade.

Last season, when Kubiak was first hired as the Seahawks' offensive coordinator, Seattle traded Smith to the Raiders. Now that Kubiak has started his tenure with the Raiders, he once again avoids Smith, a move that is viewed positively by the Raiders. According to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN, both sides mutually agreed to part ways. The Raiders’ new coaching staff did not want Smith, and Smith, now 35, wanted a fresh start. This move, expected to be official at the beginning of the new league year on March 11, will open up $8 million in salary cap space and result in $18.5 million of dead money for the Raiders.

Would classify Geno Smith's release in Vegas as a mutual parting. Raiders have the chance to start new and Smith wanted to explore options elsewhere.

He's a consideration for the Vikings, among others.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) March 6, 2026

Smith led the league in interceptions with 17 last season and, at times, was among the league’s worst quarterbacks. Still, not all the blame is his.

The offensive system in place, as revealed by the players' NFLPA report cards, was a disaster. Chip Kelly was voted with an F on the report cards, and the offensive line's bad play in both areas also doesn’t help Smith. But, there is only one person on the field of the 11 throwing the ball—there is only one person throwing it to the other team. And, there was only one player consistently throwing others under the bus, insulting fans, and flipping fans off.

Geno Smith tweets after reports of his release

Smith immediately went to Twitter after the news broke, tweeting a series of tweets.

“God is the GREATEST. THANK U LORD.”
“ALL PRAISE IS DUE TO THE MOST HIGH.”
“Let’s see what the next 6 years have to offer. God is REAL.”