Las Vegas Raiders fans want some positivity but the fact is, the 2025 NFL season has been an unmitigated disaster. Leading the offense, quarterback Geno Smith has reverted back to his days as a New York Jet. So, is it time to cut your losses if you’re head coach Pete Carroll?
Blame shouldn’t fall squarely on Smith; that would be shortsighted. The Raiders’ struggles extend far beyond one player. For example, a depleted offensive line—which was subpar even when healthy—has significantly hurt the team. On top of that, Chip Kelly’s uninspired play-calling has only added to their woes, making for a recipe for disaster. Against this troubled backdrop, acquiring Smith seems more like an attempt to recapture nostalgia rather than a practical move. Ultimately, the Raiders’ ongoing neglect of the quarterback position has led to these problems.
Expectations from Raiders QB Geno Smith moving forward…
Looking ahead to the matchup with the Dallas Cowboys, Smith could very well be playing for his career. Let’s say he goes in and throws a terrible game. What do you do? Should we expect the Raiders to continue trotting out Smith despite the obvious?
Then again, you might find some fans who believe keeping Smith in will inevitably help the team, as losses improve draft positioning. Imagine a scenario where Aidan O’Connell comes in and leads the Raiders to an extra win or two, contributing to the organization falling out of the top five in the 2026 NFL draft.
However, all of the “tanking” talk aside, Smith’s numbers this season just don’t inspire confidence on any level. He’s thrown for more interceptions (12) than touchdowns (11) and sports a 66.7% completion percentage. As stated before, this is more akin to his days in the Big Apple. Facing a Cowboys team that was busy at the trade deadline could end up being the final dagger in Smith’s days as an NFL starting quarterback. Unless he can take advantage of some apparent weaknesses, namely, a defense that ranks 29th in passing yards allowed.
All eyes will be on Geno next week.
Related: Did The Raiders Already Wave The White Flag?
*Top Photo: Ethan Miller/Getty Images