Ex-Seahawks Pro Bowler Reaches Unprecedented Low with New Team
Geno Smith’s transition to the Las Vegas Raiders has been challenging, marking a significant downturn from his time with the Seattle Seahawks. Despite being a two-time Pro Bowler, his performance has contributed to the team’s current turmoil.
Struggles for Geno Smith
Smith’s journey with the Raiders commenced with high hopes. However, through the first five weeks of 2025, his performance has been lackluster. He has thrown nine interceptions, the highest in the league, and exhibits a completion percentage over expectation ranking 37th out of 40 qualified quarterbacks. His passer rating also suffers, standing at 35th with a rating of 75.6.
Impact of Team Changes
The Raiders have seen a substantial organizational overhaul, contributing to a shaky start. New general manager John Spytek inherited a largely unremarkable roster, which has not made Smith’s task easier. Moreover, noteworthy injuries on the offensive side have hampered the team’s overall performance.
Leadership and Strategy
The appointment of the 74-year-old Pete Carroll as head coach signaled a win-now approach, adding complexity to the team’s strategy. The organization is caught between rebuilding and attempting to be competitive, leading to speculation about potential changes in their approach.
Potential Decisions Ahead
Despite these challenges, the Raiders remain only “mildly concerned” with Smith, according to NFL insider Jeremy Fowler. There’s ongoing debate about whether Kenny Pickett, a 2022 first-round pick, could take over the starting position. Nonetheless, benching Smith seems improbable for now.
Dan Graziano also points towards possible future actions, suggesting the Raiders could terminate their association with Smith after just one season. The financial implications of such a move include absorbing an $18.5 million dead money hit, although the team might deem this acceptable to improve immediately moving forward.
Future Prospects for the Las Vegas Raiders
The Raiders aim to contend soon, despite a brutal campaign so far. The potential cut of Smith could represent a strategic reset to position the team for future success and align with their competitive aspirations.
