Raiders’ GM Spytek: Passive or Patient

Pros and Cons to the Offseason This Far

John Spytek’s first offseason as the Las Vegas Raiders' GM has been defined by a mix of caution and a single bold stroke. After a 4-13 season with over $90million in cap space, fans expected fireworks. Instead, Spytek has largely held steady, save for trading the third-round pick acquired in the Davante Adams deal to the Seahawks for quarterback Geno Smith. As of March 18, 2025, this move, and his broader inactivity, carries both upside and risk.

Pros of Spytek’s Approach:

The Geno Smith trade is a calculated win. For a third-round pick originally from the Adams trade, Spytek secured a proven veteran who threw for 4,320 yards in 2024 (behind a shaky offensive line) and knows Pete Carroll’s system cold. Smith’s leadership and experience could stabilize a quarterback room that fell flat with Gardner Minshew and Aidan O’Connell, offering a path to competitiveness next season. Spytek’s restraint elsewhere, re-signing safety Isaiah Pola-Mao and keeping the defensive line intact, preserves cap flexibility and prioritizes the draft, where he’s shown talent-scouting chops from his Tampa Bay days (e.g., Chris Godwin). With the No. 6 pick, he can still target a franchise quarterback or elite talent, leveraging Smith as a stopgap. This aligns with his “Loose Cannons” comments about sustainable growth, a departure from the Raiders’ past quick-fix flops.

Cons of Spytek’s Inactivity:

The Smith trade aside, Spytek’s quiet offseason stings. The Raiders lost defensive pillars like Robert Spillane, Nate Hobbs, and Tre’von Moehrig to free agency, and he didn’t counter with impact signings like Jeremy Chinn or Dre’Mont Jones despite the cap room. Fans on X have labeled him “unimpressive,” craving instant upgrades in a cutthroat AFC West. Trading the Adams pick for Smith, while savvy, doubles down on draft pressure, missing at No. 6 could halt the rebuild. Plus, Smith, at 35, isn’t a long-term fix, and the roster still lacks juice at running back, wide receiver, and cornerback. For a fanbase tired of mediocrity, Spytek’s measured pace feels like a tease, not a plan.

Spytek’s offseason bets big on Smith and the draft. If he hits, he’s a genius; if not, he’s just another Raiders GM who couldn’t deliver. The jury’s still out.