The Las Vegas Raiders came in with a new head coach (Pete Carroll), a new minority owner (Tom Brady), and a new starting quarterback (Geno Smith). However, the results are the same. It’s their third 1-4 win-loss record in 8 years after 5 games. That’s why the head coach is under high pressure to make some immediate changes.

The first and foremost change is a new quarterback. That means starting Kenny Pickett, who signed with them just before the season. “They did bring over Pickett just to be a backup. But these are the type of times, folks, where you ask those questions in a room, is it time to split time? Do we give Pickett a chance to get in for a few plays and see what happens or not?” the former Raiders RB Rashad Jennings said on October 10 while talking to Vince Sapienza.

Kenny Pickett is waiting on the bench, but he could be a good option. In his career, he has started 25 games, thrown for 4,765 yards, 15 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions. He has also recorded 306 rushing yards, scoring five touchdowns. He can make plays with both his arm and his legs, and he knows how to lead an offense. But Carroll is silent.

However, Jennings also gave hope to the fans. He added, “Of course, when your record is what it is and your quarterback hasn’t played extremely well, leading the NFL in interceptions, you start to wonder. But I have no doubt that the organization and the head coach, especially Pete Carroll, will evaluate it properly and put the best player out there for the team next week.”

Last season, Pickett started one game for Philadelphia and won, throwing two touchdowns and no interceptions. Even in limited action, he has shown he can stay calm, throw accurately, and avoid big mistakes, exactly what the Raiders need right now. Pete Carroll talks a lot about competition. Pickett has already shown he can compete in the NFL.

With Geno Smith struggling, it makes sense to give him a chance to start and see what he can do.

Raiders Struggling With Geno Smith’s Rough Start

The Raiders traded for Geno Smith from the Seattle Seahawks, hoping his experience would help the team. Instead, he’s been one of their biggest problems. Smith signed a two-year, $75 million deal with a $40 million cap hit, but so far, he hasn’t delivered. Through five games, he’s thrown nine interceptions, the most in the NFL, which is even more than the Raiders’ total touchdowns (eight). No Raiders quarterback has thrown this many picks in the first five games since Jim Plunkett in 1982.

Smith’s interception rate of 5.5% is the second-worst in the league and could be the highest of his 12-year career. His QBR of 38.8 shows just how badly the offense is struggling. The Raiders are 1–4, and their only win was a low-scoring 20–13 victory over New England. The other games have been rough.

Smith threw three picks against the Chargers and the Bears, and another two in a blowout loss to the Colts. Even when his passes are accurate, the team struggles to turn drives into points. He’s completed 65% of his passes for 1,176 yards, but most of those yards haven’t mattered. Home games haven’t been any better, just 297 yards, two touchdowns, and six interceptions in Las Vegas.

The coaches are struggling to find the player combinations. The Raiders brought Smith in for leadership, but so far, he’s brought more frustration. The offense looks weak, the defense is worn out, and the locker room feels tense. If Smith doesn’t turn things around soon, the Raiders’ season could fall apart before midseason.