Without a single game played in the 2023 season, LB Jaylon Smith goes from Saints practice squad to Las Vegas in an overnight deal with the Raiders.
Following his stint in Dallas, where he became a Pro Bowler, then in Green Bay, where he was cut after just two games, Smith landed in NY where he played 13 games for the Giants in 2022, posting 1 sack, 1 fumble recovery, 88 tackles, 3 tackles for loss and 2 QB hits.
In 2023, Smith was signed to the New Orleans Saints and never made it past the practice squad, that is, until now as the Las Vegas Raiders made Smith an offer he couldn't refuse.
Smith's agent, Doug Hendrickson, announced the deal this morning in a tweet saying "Raider Nation @thejaylonsmith let’s get it!"
The move comes after the overnight firings of the Raiders HC Josh McDaniels, GM Dave Ziegler, and OC Mick Lombardi and the benching of QB Jimmy G for rookie Aidan O'Connell.
Antonio Pierce is taking the reigns as interim head coach and by all accounts wants the job permanently while newly appointed interim general manager, Champ Kelly, made the executive decision to sign Smith, aiming to bolster the Raiders' lackluster defense. Raiders D is ranked #19 overall through Week 8.
It is unknown whether Smith will be on the field for the Raiders against the NY Giants, Smith's former team this Sunday.
--Alice Wells