Raiders Roll the Dice: Will Geno Smith Finally Bring Stability to the Las Vegas Quarterback Carousel?
The Las Vegas Raiders have been searching for a franchise quarterback for what seems like an eternity. Since the Rich Gannon era, the Raiders have been a revolving door at the quarterback position, a carousel of hopes and disappointments. Now, in 2025, they’re betting on veteran Geno Smith to finally bring some much-needed stability under center. But is Smith the answer, or just another spin on the Raiders’ quarterback carousel?
A History of Quarterback Instability
Raider Nation knows the story all too well. After Gannon’s departure, the team has cycled through a long list of quarterbacks, each with varying degrees of success and failure. Names like JaMarcus Russell, Matt McGloin, Terrelle Pryor, Derek Carr, and most recently, Aidan O’Connell, mark the Raiders’ search for a signal-caller who can lead the team to consistent success. While Carr provided some stability for nearly a decade, he ultimately couldn’t deliver the playoff success the team craved, leading to his exit. Last year, the Raiders’ offense was plagued by lackluster quarterback play, highlighting the urgent need for an upgrade.
The Geno Smith Gamble
In a bold move this offseason, the Raiders traded a 2025 third-round pick to the Seattle Seahawks for Geno Smith. The move reunited Smith with head coach Pete Carroll, who was the Seahawks’ coach when Smith took over the starting QB job from Russell Wilson and outplayed everyone’s expectations. This reunion is a key factor in the Raiders’ hopes for Smith. Carroll knows how to get the best out of Smith, and Smith trusts Carroll’s system.
Smith’s journey to becoming the Raiders’ quarterback is a testament to perseverance. Drafted by the New York Jets in the second round of the 2013 NFL Draft, Smith’s early career was marked by inconsistency and injuries. After bouncing around as a backup for several teams, including the New York Giants and Los Angeles Chargers, Smith resurrected his career in Seattle. In 2022, he took over as the Seahawks’ starter and earned NFL Comeback Player of the Year honors, leading the team to a surprising playoff berth. In two seasons as a full-time starter under Carroll (2022-23), Smith threw for 7,906 yards, 50 touchdowns and 20 interceptions, good enough to make his only two career Pro Bowls and win 2022 NFL Comeback Player of the Year.
What Smith Brings to the Table
Geno Smith is not a long-term solution. He will be 35 years old in October. However, he brings a veteran presence and a level of accuracy that the Raiders have lacked in recent years. In 2024, Smith reached career highs in completion percentage (70.4%) and passing yards (4,320). He is known for his ability to quickly process information and make smart decisions, which should benefit the Raiders’ offense.
“He is super accurate,” Hondo Carpenter said. “Last year, it was not his best year, but he was not on a great team. I just think he is so far along than Aidan.”
Moreover, Smith’s familiarity with Chip Kelly’s offensive system should allow for a smoother transition. Kelly, making his return to the NFL as Raiders’ offensive coordinator, has hit it off early with his new QB, with whom he’s apparently had a relationship for some time.
The Smith-Kelly Pairing
The pairing of Geno Smith and Chip Kelly is one of the most intriguing aspects of the Raiders’ offseason. Kelly’s innovative offensive schemes combined with Smith’s experience and accuracy could create a potent attack. Kelly is known for his fast-paced, quarterback-friendly offenses, which could unlock Smith’s full potential.
ESPN noted that “Based on the way he played the past couple of seasons in Seattle, Smith is probably the best QB addition any team made this spring or summer. Kelly, making his return to the NFL as Raiders’ offensive coordinator, has hit it off early with his new QB, with whom he’s apparently had a relationship for some time.”
The Raiders’ Offseason Moves
The Raiders’ commitment to improving the offense extends beyond the acquisition of Smith and Kelly. The team has also made significant additions to the offensive line, signing guard Alex Cappa and drafting Charles Grant and Caleb Rogers. These moves are designed to provide Smith with better protection and create more opportunities in the running game.
In the 2025 NFL Draft, the Raiders selected running back Ashton Jeanty in the first round. Jeanty is expected to provide an immediate boost to the Raiders’ running game, which struggled last season. The Raiders also added wide receivers Jack Bech and Dont’e Thornton Jr. to bolster their receiving corps.
The Competition at Quarterback
While Smith is the clear-cut starter heading into the season, the Raiders also have Aidan O’Connell and Cam Miller on the roster. O’Connell, who started several games last season, provides a capable backup option. Miller, a sixth-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, is a developmental prospect with potential.
Analyst Chris Simms believes the Raiders might be content to focus their attention on other areas of the draft instead of adding a quarterback, that is of course, adding a quarterback in the early rounds. “We know Geno Smith is not the quarterback for the next five to ten years, we don’t think, but he’s good enough right now,” Simms said on Pro Football Talk. “And they got a guy in Aidan O’Connell who is really one of the better backups in football.”
Challenges Ahead
Despite the optimism surrounding Smith, challenges remain. The AFC West is a tough division, with Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs still the team to beat. The Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Chargers have also made significant improvements this offseason, making the division even more competitive.
Smith will need to avoid turnovers and make smart decisions to lead the Raiders to victory. In two seasons as a full-time starter under Carroll (2022-23), Smith threw for 7,906 yards, 50 touchdowns and 20 interceptions, good enough to make his only two career Pro Bowls and win 2022 NFL Comeback Player of the Year.
Conclusion: A Glimmer of Hope?
Geno Smith represents a calculated gamble for the Las Vegas Raiders. He’s not a guaranteed superstar, but he offers a level of experience, accuracy, and leadership that the team desperately needs. Whether he can finally bring stability to the Raiders’ quarterback carousel remains to be seen, but for now, Raider Nation has a reason to be optimistic. With a strong supporting cast and a talented coaching staff, Smith has the opportunity to rewrite the narrative of his career and lead the Raiders to a brighter future.