Las Vegas is known as the capital of sin, gambling, and entertainment. So far, however, it has not stood out as a successful NFL outpost. On the contrary, the franchise continues to rank among the league’s worst year after year, a label it often shares with the New York Jets.
The 2025 season was yet another to forget. Still, it carried a slightly different tone. Tom Brady arrived as a minority investor, raising expectations that his presence might bring results, even if such changes rarely happen overnight.
The organization also made a controversial decision in hiring Pete Carroll as head coach. Carroll, in turn, brought quarterback Geno Smith to the Raiders, hoping to recreate the success they once shared in Seattle.
In Las Vegas, however, the gamble backfired. Nothing worked as expected. Smith ended the season as the NFL’s most interception-prone passer, throwing 17 picks.
Despite his difficult campaign, one teammate stepped forward to defend him and highlight his qualities. Even if his fate already seems sealed, recognition of his leadership has not gone unnoticed.
Ashton Jeanty praises his teammate Geno Smith
With only four victories, there was little for the Las Vegas franchise to celebrate. The season was disastrous. The front office is already eyeing Smith’s successor, the remarkable former Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza.
Smith managed to win only two games as a starter. After enduring heavy criticism for what many considered a disappointing performance, running back Ashton Jeanty offered words of support.
Yeah, I mean, obviously, as a quarterback, it gets put on you.”…”So, obviously, to have him keep his composure and, you know, just keep playing and keep fighting throughout the season. Much respect for him, always.
Jeanty told Heavy Sports.
It is worth remembering that Smith signed a contract extension, yet he could still leave the silver-and-black organization. The team would gain $18.5 million in cap space by releasing him outright.
With the No. 1 draft pick in hand and a new regime in place, it’s a near-lock the Raiders will be moving in a new direction at quarterback this offseason.”…. “It also didn’t help that Smith finished the 2025 season with 19 touchdowns, a league-high 17 interceptions and 55 sacks, an atrocious 84.7 passer rating and what was undoubtedly some of the worst tape in the league (at least according to my eyes). Cutting Smith only results in $8 million in cap savings while sinking $18.5 million in dead money, but unless new head coach Klint Kubiak sees him as a worthy bridge quarterback to presumptive No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza, any juice would be worth the squeeze in Las Vegas. Pete Carroll is gone and I’d be very surprised if his hand-picked quarterback of the past is not soon to follow.
Matt Okada of NFL.com wrote.
The Raiders could also keep Geno Smith
With the likely arrival of Fernando Mendoza, the Raiders would still need a veteran quarterback to serve as a mentor for the former Hoosier. Smith’s experience as both a starter and a backup could help him secure a place within the organization.
Time will ultimately decide whether he remains with the team or departs, as many Las Vegas fans are already demanding ahead of the 2026 season.
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