The Las Vegas Raiders faced yet another setback on Monday night, suffering a loss to the Dallas Cowboys, marking their eighth defeat in their last nine games. The team has struggled significantly this season, leaving fans and analysts questioning the effectiveness of their quarterback, Geno Smith, who has not been able to deliver the expected results.
This season, Smith has been plagued by issues, leading the league in interceptions and throwing more picks than touchdowns. Despite this, he signed a lucrative extension during the offseason, which may be influencing the Raiders” decision to keep him as the starter. However, with the team”s overall struggles, the prospect of benching Smith is increasingly being discussed.
In the game against the Cowboys, Smith recorded 238 passing yards, one touchdown, and one interception, achieving this despite being sacked four times and throwing the ball 42 times. His performance was underwhelming, and many are beginning to wonder if a change at quarterback is necessary, especially as the Raiders have now fallen to a disappointing 2-8.
Kenny Pickett, the team”s backup quarterback, could be next in line if the Raiders decide to make a switch. Pickett, who was acquired from the Cleveland Browns during training camp, has had limited starting experience, with just one game played since the start of the 2024 season while backing up Jalen Hurts with the Philadelphia Eagles. If the Raiders choose to go with Aidan O”Connell, they would have to wait until he is cleared to return from a wrist injury sustained during the preseason.
As Las Vegas continues to navigate a tough season, the decision on whether to bench Smith remains uncertain. With a short week ahead, it seems unlikely that the Raiders will make a quarterback change immediately, but their ongoing struggles may force their hand if performances do not improve.
