So much for the Raiders being interested in Geno Smith with the third overall pick in the draft.
The reported trade that will send one-game wonder Matt Flynn from Seattle to Oakland means that the Raiders won’t be drafting Smith, or presumably any other quarterback.
Unless it’s all an elaborate smokescreen.
Flynn’s contract carries a base salary of $5.25 million in 2013, $2 million on which is fully guaranteed. In 2014, Flynn is due to make $6.25 million.
While Flynn has limited NFL experience, Raiders G.M. Reggie McKenzie knows what he’s getting. McKenzie worked for the Packers during Green Bay’s Brett-Favre-barricade draft of 2008. Within weeks after the Packers finagled Favre’s retirement by demanding a commitment early in the offseason, Green Bay drafted both Brian Brohm and Flynn.
It’s unknown what the Raiders are giving up to get Flynn, but McKenzie declared last year that the team won’t be trading draft picks.
For now, it appears they won’t be using any draft picks on a quarterback.