Raiders' Patrick Mahomes trade whisper sends NFL fans into frenzy—GM's comments ignite firestorm over league ethics
For years, the Las Vegas Raiders have lived a recurring nightmare: Patrick Mahomes. Twice a season, they face the architect of their AFC West woes, a quarterback who has single-handedly carved out a dynasty in Kansas City and consistently left the Silver and Black in his wake.
His dominance – 12 wins in 14 outings against Las Vegas, racking up over 4,000 passing yards and 33 touchdowns – has pushed the Raiders to the brink in their quest for a franchise quarterback. But how far were they willing to go to escape Mahomes' shadow? Could they, against all odds, have ever considered acquiring him?
Raiders risked it all for Patrick Mahomes? Insider bombshell rattles AFC West
Raiders GM John Spytek recently gave an honest account of the team's rigorous two-year hunt for a starting quarterback.
He confirmed their absolute commitment.
"Pete [Carroll] and I were completely serious," Spytek stated, "when we said we'd explore every possible avenue for a quarterback." This intensive search, he shared, involved bold inquiries. "We contacted various teams just to gauge interest," he admitted, jokingly adding, "I'd be hesitant to even mention some of the names we inquired about trading for, but you never know.'
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Naturally, the burning question from reporters was immediate: did this wide-ranging dragnet extend to Chiefs General Manager Brett Veach? In a league where "desperate times call for desperate measures," the idea of somehow luring Mahomes away from their bitter rivals – if you couldn't beat him, why not join him, right? – might seem like a fleeting fantasy for a beleaguered fanbase.
However, Spytek quickly squashed any such speculation.
"We didn't go that far, you know?" he admitted, acknowledging the sheer implausibility of such a blockbuster, intra-division trade. The notion of Patrick Mahomes donning the Silver and Black, while perhaps a tantalizing dream for some, was never a realistic avenue for the Raiders' front office.
Eventually, Spytek and Coach Pete Carroll's deep search led them to veteran quarterback Geno Smith from the Seahawks via trade.
Spytek expressed confidence, noting Smith's strong performance and history with Carroll. "With Geno in particular, Pete has a history with him, and he's played his best football for Pete," Spytek stated. "And he played well last year, too.'
The cost of securing Smith's services was substantial, involving a third-round draft pick and the absorption of the $75 million remaining on his contract. Even with the team's disappointing 4-13 finish last season, Spytek maintains a positive outlook on the team's trajectory under Smith's leadership.
He stated, "It's a work in progress, but he's been awesome so far."
Also Read:
'Got hammered on a f**king boat': Julian Edelman and Rob Gronkowski call out Tom Brady for being a lame teammate off the field
The Raiders still face the challenge of Patrick Mahomes, but their plan is clear. Mahomes' trade was off-limits, so they're banking on Geno Smith. This investment is their move in the ongoing AFC West battle. Time will tell if Smith brings the stability needed to contend with the division's top team.
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