It’s been a complete overhaul for the Las Vegas Raiders this offseason—in the best way possible. With a new head coach and general manager came a new quarterback and running back: multi-time Pro Bowl quarterback Geno Smith and sixth-overall pick Ashton Jeanty.
Over the past three seasons, only five signal callers across the National Football League have accumulated more wins than Geno Smith. As for Jeanty, he finished his ’24 campaign as the Heisman runner-up in a tight race many thought the Boise State runner should’ve won.
And yet, neither of these players is the best bet on Sin City’s roster to take home the Most Valuable Player Award. At least, not according to Pro Football Network.
In PFN’s eyes, tight end Brock Bowers has the best chance among all Raiders players at claiming the prestigious award in 2025.
With the swap under center of Gardner Minshew and Aidan O’Connell to trustworthy quarterback Geno Smith, the outlet believes Brock Bowers has a good chance at besting his already historic ’24 campaign that welcomed 1,194 yards receiving and 112 receptions–the latter which stands as a rookie record regardless of position.
In fact, Bowers’ 112 catches throughout the season ranks third-most among all tight ends to ever suit up for an NFL club, regardless of the year in their career.
Is an even better year on the horizon for the recent Georgia graduate?
Step aside, Geno Smith and Ashton Jeanty; PFN believes Brock Bowers is the top Raiders MVP candidate
It’s hard to imagine Bowers starts his NFL career cracking a top-three season-long reception total twice in two years. But, it was hard to imagine Bowers doing what he did last year as a rookie.
He still did it, though.
This situation isn’t exactly the same, however. From the new quarterback to Bowers’ new weapon-mates.
Since becoming a full-time starter in 2022, Smith, like the large majority of starting-caliber quarterbacks around the NFL, has excelled in spreading the rock around. That was best displayed in 2023 when three separate Seahawks receivers had 90-plus targets with none going above 122.
During his latest campaign, Smith threw the ball to six different pass-catchers 50-plus times. The Raiders’ quarterbacks, in comparison, gave only three players at least 50 targets in 2024.
That was due to 153 passes being thrown Bowers’ way; 12 more targets than any pass-catcher has seen from Geno Smith since becoming a Seahawk.
And that’s without factoring in the targets of rookies Jack Bech and Dont’e Thornton, in addition to handoffs and passes that will go to Ashton Jeanty.
For Bowers to get 153 targets, the Raiders had to run the ball on 380 occasions. That number tied for second-least across the NFL. Needless to say, Sin City didn’t welcome Jeanty to town with the sixth-overall pick to not run the football.
To say nothing of the NFL world knowing how Pete Carroll loves to pound the rock.
Still, anything is possible. It’s more than fair to crown Bowers Las Vegas’ best offensive player–it shouldn’t surprise anyone if the best player produces at the highest level.
And although Smith and Jeanty may be more realistic contenders for MVP among all Raiders players, it’s hard to fault anyone for rolling with Brock Bowers.
*Top Photo: Ramble Illustration/Getty Images
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