Raiders sit Geno Smith against Chiefs as season declines

Raiders Coach Makes Bold QB Change Amidst Blowout Loss

Pete Carroll had clearly reached his limit.

In a disheartening fourth quarter against the Chiefs, the Raiders’ rookie coach benched quarterback Geno Smith after a disappointing outing—completing 10 of 16 passes for a mere 67 yards and no touchdowns. Oh, and he was sacked once.

Kenny Pickett then took the field in a game that ended 31-0, managing to go 2 for 2 but only gaining 8 yards.

Carroll, who brought Smith over from Seattle this offseason after revitalizing his career, seemed taken aback by how the game unfolded. “This wasn’t something we anticipated. Our preparations were solid,” he reflected, as reported by Pro Football Talk. “They’re a great team and executed their game plan perfectly, keeping us off balance. We struggled to gain first downs or stop their offense.”

While Smith had a decent start, he failed to live up to the expectations of his recent two-year, $75 million contract extension. In seven games, he has thrown only seven touchdowns but matched that with ten interceptions.

After the loss, Smith commented, “A tough defeat like this feels like a gut check and can help strengthen bonds with the team.”

As the Raiders sit at 2-5, it’s uncertain if they’ll consider other quarterbacks moving forward. Carroll had even contemplated benching Smith during the previous week’s 40-6 loss to the Colts but opted not to because he felt it would add unnecessary pressure on the players.

“Sure, I thought about it,” he admitted later. “But we need to keep practicing without making radical changes. We need our guys in command, running the system, and getting those crucial opportunities for improvement. It’s essential to carry on—not just to shake things up for the sake of it.”