Just 1 Hour After Geno Smith, Raiders’ Starting QB, Was Released, He Expressed His Desire to Start Over in Denver, But Broncos Quickly Declined Due to His Demands Being Too High

Denver, Colorado

Just one hour after Geno Smith, the starting quarterback for the Las Vegas Raiders, was released following a difficult season, he quickly expressed his desire to join the Denver Broncos for a fresh start. However, this decision was not well received by the Denver Broncos, as GM George Paton of the Broncos quickly declined Smith’s request due to his demands being too high for the team.

ESPN sources: the Raiders are releasing last season’s starting quarterback Geno Smith, barring a trade before the start of the new league year. By releasing Smith, the Raiders will open up $8M in salary cap space while taking on $18.5M in dead money. pic.twitter.com/MZGLKJPEeX

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 6, 2026

A New Opportunity After Being Released

Geno Smith, who had a challenging season with the Raiders in 2025, now saw an opportunity to start fresh in Denver. After being released, Smith quickly expressed his wish to join the Broncos, hoping for a chance to start. He believed Denver was the perfect place for him to prove himself again.

Broncos Declines Quickly and Firmly

However, just hours after Smith expressed his interest, George Paton, GM of Denver Broncos, responded with a firm decline: “We have great respect for Geno’s talent, but his financial demands do not align with the long-term vision of this team. We are focused on building a stable system, and retaining players that fit within that structure is our top priority.” Paton stated that the Broncos would continue looking for a better fit for their team’s development strategy.

Why Broncos Declined Smith

George Paton and the Broncos management team clearly didn’t feel comfortable with Geno Smith’s demands. Despite his experience in the NFL, Smith didn’t have a great season with the Raiders, with his high interception rate and his inability to help the team perform well. Smith's financial demands were simply too high, making it difficult for Broncos to accept, especially as they are looking to build for the future.

Geno Smith Is Not the Broncos’ Choice

Denver Broncos are currently seeking a long-term quarterback to secure Bo Nix’s future and build the team around him. While Geno Smith could potentially be a short-term solution, it’s clear that the Broncos are looking for a player who can fit into their system for the long haul. This is why they didn’t want to invest in a high-paying contract for a player who hasn’t delivered at a high level.

Geno Smith’s Future

After being declined by the Broncos, Smith will now have to find a new team for himself. Currently, teams like the Cleveland Browns and Minnesota Vikings could be potential destinations for Smith if he is willing to adjust his financial demands. Whether Smith can find a suitable team will depend on whether he can adjust his contract requirements accordingly.

Could Geno Smith Join Denver in the Future?

While the Broncos have declined Smith this time, it’s not guaranteed that the door is completely closed. With the current QB situation at Denver Broncos, they will still need to keep looking for a player who could eventually replace Bo Nix if needed. But Smith will not be the one to make that change.

Conclusion: A Wishful Start, But Not Possible

Geno Smith is facing a challenging period as he searches for a new team, while Denver Broncos have decided to continue seeking other options instead of investing in a high-paying contract for a player whose demands don’t align with their long-term goals. The question remains whether Smith can continue his career in the NFL, but one thing is certain — Denver will not be his next destination.

This version is in American English and reflects the context of Bo Nix being the preferred quarterback for the Denver Broncos moving forward. Let me know if you need any further adjustments!