The Las Vegas Raiders appear committed to veteran quarterback Geno Smith for the foreseeable future. Smith, 34, is under contract for at least the next two seasons, with the team holding an option for a third. While his experience offers the Raiders valuable stability, it’s unlikely he represents the long-term solution at the position.
That reality was underscored during the 2025 NFL Draft, when the Raiders waited until the sixth round to address the quarterback position—selecting Cam Miller, a standout from North Dakota State. While Miller brings upside and a strong collegiate résumé, it’s a stretch to project him as the franchise’s future QB at this stage.
Smith’s contract gives Las Vegas some breathing room. The team can afford to be patient while continuing to scout the college ranks for a potential franchise signal-caller in future drafts. One name they may already have on their radar: Nebraska’s Dylan Raiola.
Raiola entered his freshman season with high expectations but experienced growing pains in Year 1. He finished the season with 13 touchdowns to 11 interceptions, a stat line that didn’t exactly live up to the hype that surrounded him as a top recruit. However, as a true freshman, Raiola has time to develop and refine his game—and the Raiders might be paying close attention to that progress.
Dylan Riola Eyeing Las Vegas Raiders For 2026 Draft
Even more intriguing? Raiola has already mentioned Las Vegas as a team he’d love to join.
“I was kind of pissed [when the Titans selected Cam Ward No. 1 in the 2025 NFL Draft],” Raiola said during the May 6 episode of Bussin’ With the Boys. “I wanted to go to Tennessee. I wanted to get drafted by Tennessee or Vegas.”
Raiola won’t be draft-eligible until 2027, so there’s still a long way to go before such a scenario could even materialize. But his timeline could align neatly with the Raiders’ current quarterback roadmap—especially if Smith holds down the job over the next two years and Miller doesn’t develop into a long-term option.
For now, Raiola remains a raw talent with potential. He’ll need to show marked improvement before he can start making serious plans about where he’ll land in the NFL. But his early comments—and the Raiders’ current situation—make for an interesting storyline worth monitoring as both journeys unfold.