Category: Raiders

Aidan O’Connell’s “disastrous” outing clouds Raiders preseason quarterback picture

Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan O’Connell hasn’t inspired much confidence this preseason. Entering his third year in the NFL, O’Connell continues to look like a backup at best, raising questions about the Raiders’ quarterback depth behind starter Geno Smith.

The 26-year-old threw two interceptions in the preseason opener against Seattle, then followed that up with another costly mistake in Week 2 against San Francisco. His play has left many wondering whether the Raiders can trust him if Smith goes down during the regular season.

Carroll’s critique

Seattle head coach Pete Carroll, whose team faced O’Connell in the preseason, gave a blunt assessment of the quarterback’s issues.

“I thought Aidan continued to little bit — we’re not quite as fast when he’s playing,” Carroll said, according to an article by SportingNews’s Mike Moraitis. “We don’t play as quick from huddle to the snap, still trying to work that out. And he made a poor choice on the throw for the pick, unfortunately. It was a crucial time, that was tough. Just the guy was covered, and if he had to it throw away or take off, we would have preferred that.”

The interception Carroll referenced was an ill-advised throw where O’Connell forced the ball into tight coverage. Former Raiders quarterback Rich Gannon, calling the game on the broadcast, criticized the decision bluntly: “Can’t make that throw.”

Adding an extra layer of intrigue, Raiders general manager John Spytek happened to be in the broadcast booth when the mistake occurred, though he didn’t react publicly.

Stuck as QB2?

Despite his struggles, O’Connell is still expected to hold onto the backup role in Las Vegas. Rookie Cam Miller has shown flashes of potential in limited action but cooled off in Week 2, making it unlikely that he jumps O’Connell on the depth chart just yet.

Still, Miller has displayed enough upside that the Raiders could keep him on the 53-man roster as a developmental option. Fans may clamor for him to get a chance if O’Connell continues to stumble.

What’s next for Las Vegas?

For now, the Raiders are set with Geno Smith as the starter and O’Connell slotted in behind him. But the preseason struggles raise legitimate concerns about what might happen if Smith is sidelined. Carroll’s comments highlight an ongoing problem: O’Connell has yet to speed up his processing and decision-making at the NFL level.

Whether he can adjust before the regular season remains to be seen, but his shaky preseason outings have kept the spotlight firmly on Las Vegas’ backup quarterback situation.

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Geno Smith, Maxx Crosby shoot bird at Seahawks fan in heated preseason debacle

Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith and edge rusher Maxx Crosby made headlines Thursday night with an obscene gesture aimed at a Seattle Seahawks fan during Week One of the NFL Preseason. Smith, who spent six seasons with the Silver & Blue — including three as their starting quarterback — was traded to the Raiders in the offseason. Now reunited with former head coach Pete Carroll, who is in his first year leading the Raiders, the tension between Smith and his former team’s fanbase was on full display.

Before the game, Smith was caught on camera flipping off a fan holding a pretty dumb sign that read: “Bigger Bust — Geno or Jamarcus Russell?” The infamous comparison references Jamarcus Russell, the Raiders’ 2007 No. 1 overall pick who started just 25 games in three seasons before his NFL career fizzled. Smith, drafted in the second round by the Jets in 2013, spent two seasons in New York before waiting seven years to become a full-time starter again when he took over for Russell Wilson in Seattle.

Crosby, known for his fiery demeanor on the field, matched Smith’s gesture as he ran onto the field in Seattle. Both players only saw limited action Thursday — Smith took four snaps, while Crosby played nine — but their actions off the stat sheet sparked plenty of reactions. With the NFL’s strict policies on player conduct, both Smith and Crosby face potential fines for their obscene gestures. This follows a similar penalty last season when Detroit Lions safety Brian Branch lost over $10,000 for shooting birds at spectators as well.

The preseason game also marked an emotional reunion between Smith and Carroll, who joined Las Vegas in the offseason. Carroll, who coached Smith for six years during his time in Seattle, played a role in bringing the former WVU product—whom he was familiar with—to lead the team in his first year as head coach. As they work to build a new winning culture in Sin City, the drama on the field and in the stands adds extra intrigue to what’s shaping up to be a pivotal season for Smith, Crosby, and the Raiders.

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Geno Smith on Raiders’ Underdog Status: “Let Them Sleep”

Geno Smith is no stranger to defying expectations. After reviving his career with the Seattle Seahawks in 2022, the veteran quarterback is now aiming to lead a new chapter—this time with the Las Vegas Raiders.

Traded to Vegas in the offseason, Smith reunites with former Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll, now at the helm in the Sin City. The Raiders’ leadership overhaul also included new GM John Spytek, who helped orchestrate a roster reset on both sides of the ball following a losing 2024 campaign.

Despite those moves, Las Vegas has largely flown under the radar heading into 2025. The team faces steep competition in the AFC West, where three teams made the playoffs last year. Still, Smith isn’t concerned about outside expectations.

“I’m always the guy that I believe the game gets settled between the white lines on game day,” Smith told NFL Network’s Kevin Patra. “But from my vantage point, we’ve got a really, really good team. I don’t know if we’ll shock anyone inside of this building, but maybe shock some outsiders.”

He continued: “Let them sleep. I don’t want them to see us coming. We’re just working in the shadows right now, getting our game right, and when it’s time to go in those bright lights, I think we’ll be ready.”

Smith’s confidence comes with credibility. Now entering his 12th NFL season, Smith has played for four franchises: the Jets, Giants, Chargers, and Seahawks. Over his career, he has thrown for 19,143 yards and 105 touchdowns. He’s a two-time Pro Bowl selection and was named the NFL Comeback Player of the Year in 2022.

Smith’s comments reflect the mindset of a team looking to rewrite its story. The Raiders may not be preseason darlings, but with renewed leadership and a veteran quarterback at the helm, they could be primed to surprise.

Whether or not the improvements will translate into playoff success remains to be seen—but one thing is clear: Geno Smith isn’t backing down from the challenge.

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