Barring Major Change, Raiders Made Costly Mistake at Quarterback with Geno Smith
The Raiders’ disappointing start to the season largely stems from the performance of quarterback Geno Smith. Coach Pete Carroll and new general manager John Spytek placed their early hopes on the veteran, but the results have been discouraging so far.
At 35, Smith’s growing frustration became evident during Las Vegas’ 2–5 opening stretch, where the team suffered the league’s second-worst point differential, being outscored by an average of 11 points per game. His accountability waned as the defeats mounted, attributing his struggles — including a league-leading total of 10 interceptions — to bad luck and inexperience within the roster.
However, after the team’s bye week, Smith seemed mentally recharged. When he met the media for the first time in 10 days at the Raiders’ Henderson facility, his tone was optimistic, signaling renewed focus and determination to turn the season around.
“It starts with me,” Smith said of revitalizing the offense. “It starts with me getting the ball out of my hands and playing efficiently, playing the right way.”
The veteran quarterback now faces the challenge of translating that mindset into results as the Raiders aim to recover from their disappointing start.
Photo by Steve Marcus
Author’s summary: The Raiders’ struggles reveal that relying on Geno Smith may have been a costly gamble, though his renewed mindset offers a small spark of hope for recovery.