The Las Vegas Raiders’ patience with Geno Smith appears to be wearing thin. After another turnover-filled loss dropped them to 1-4, the organization is reportedly “mildly concerned” about their veteran quarterback, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. While that phrasing might sound gentle, it’s the first public hint that internal confidence in Smith is beginning to waver.
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When Las Vegas traded for Smith and signed him to a two-year, $75 million extension, the move was seen as stabilizing — not franchise-altering. Instead, Smith has produced nine interceptions in just five games, tied for the second-most by any Raiders quarterback to start a season since 1970. Seven of those turnovers have directly led to opponent scoring drives, a devastating trend for a team that already sits at the bottom of the AFC West.
Smith’s numbers tell a mixed story: a 65% completion rate and 1,176 yards sound serviceable, but his 75.6 passer rating and 40-6 blowout loss to the Colts underscore the inconsistency. As ESPN’s Dan Graziano noted, some of Smith’s mistakes aren’t solely on him — one interception followed a missed offsides call — yet scouts have pointed out his tendency to rely too heavily on arm strength and hold the ball too long in collapsing pockets.
Raiders’ Internal View and Coaching Scrutiny
Despite the alarming statistics, the Raiders aren’t planning an immediate change. Graziano reports the team doesn’t believe Smith is “broken” and expects him to keep starting through Week 6. The organization recognizes that his supporting cast has been depleted — tight ends Brock Bowers and Michael Mayer are both banged up, and left tackle Kolton Miller has missed time.
Still, the pressure is mounting on both the quarterback and the coaching staff. Offensive coordinator Chip Kelly’s scheme has come under fire from league observers, with sources telling ESPN it isn’t “creating enough advantages to overcome the Raiders’ personnel deficiencies.” Head coach Pete Carroll echoed the need for balance, saying, “We got to run the football better, more… We don’t want to ever rely on the quarterback having to do the whole show.”
What Comes Next
For now, Las Vegas seems committed to letting Smith play through his struggles, partly due to his contract and relationship with Carroll. But if things continue to spiral, backup Kenny Pickett — acquired from Cleveland before the season — could be next in line. The Raiders envisioned Smith as a steadying force. Five weeks in, they’re left confronting a harsh reality: the floor hasn’t risen, and the ceiling might already be collapsing.