After weeks of criticism for his poor play, Geno Smith unveiled a new personal slogan: “Blame it on me.” Raider Nation happily obliged, showering the veteran quarterback with boos at Allegiant Stadium. Smith leads the league with 13 interceptions—a stat fans rarely let him forget.
A New Slogan, Same Old Problems…
Despite the struggles, Las Vegas Raiders head coach Pete Carroll continues to back his quarterback. The loyalty has begun to resemble football nepotism, and frustration is rising as Kenny Pickett and Aidan O’Connell remain stuck on the sideline. At Wednesday’s press conference ahead of the rematch with the Chargers, the Raiders tried to reset the tone. The last meeting between the teams? A 20-9 loss punctuated by one of Smith’s many three-interception outings.
Smith apologized for his recent on-field gesture toward fans, saying it stemmed from frustration and “will never happen again.” The words sounded sincere enough, but Raider Nation—familiar with disappointment—is firmly in “prove it” mode.
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Accountability, Consequences and a Looming Decision…
The reality remains unchanged: Smith has combined turnovers, poor body language and a public meltdown into what many fans view as conduct detrimental to the team. Suspension feels unlikely, but changing quarterbacks is at least an ethical discussion at this point. Rumors of a possible release have only intensified, especially with Las Vegas barreling toward a top draft pick.
In short, the Raiders are headed for a full roster rebrand. Whether Smith survives that transition is an open question—and one the fan base is no longer afraid to answer.
So the real question is simple: Should the Raiders move on from Geno Smith after everything that has happened? Let us know your thoughts, Raider Nation!
*Top Photo: Ramble Illustration/Getty Images