Despite first-stringer Geno Smith being healthy, the Las Vegas Raiders‘ quarterback situation is getting plenty of attention. Due to an injury to presumed backup Aidan O’Connell, general manager John Spytek was forced to find a replacement.
Enter Kenny Pickett, who was acquired prior to the league’s mandatory roster cutdown deadline. The trade for Pickett signaled a belief in him to latch on quickly with his fourth organization in three years.
It’s a lot for a player to deal with as a new season arrives. Fortunately, Pickett seems to be adjusting fine.
Kenny Pickett Embracing Chip-on-Shoulder Mentality on New Team
Speaking to the media following the trade, Pickett said he fits right in with the Raiders because he carries a chip on his shoulder.
“Yeah, I think I can add to that,” Pickett said. “I really resonate with a lot of the guys here. I’ve played against Maxx [Crosby] twice and I think from the first snap to the last, we were going back and forth the entire game. You want guys like that on your team. He’s a great one to have.”
Head coach Pete Carroll certainly echoed that sentiment.
“Well, anybody that’s been traded as much as he has, [when] he carries that chip, I think he’s got a traveling bag with it,” Carroll said. “He made a really good first impression out here. Really comfortable, has picked stuff up amazingly fast. For all of the systems he’s been through, you’d think his brain could be all jumbled up. Really good learner, good athletically out here. Threw the ball really well â he’s not even full-speed yet. We haven’t really let him take off and go because we want to save him through these next four days and get into game week. Really big first impression. He seems to fit in well.”
It’s been a bumpy ride for Pickett since going 20th overall in the 2022 NFL Draft. The Pittsburgh Steelers gave up on him after two seasons, then the Philadelphia Eagles flipped him to the Cleveland Browns after one year.
He lasted just over five months in Cleveland. Now, Las Vegas will hope he sticks around while O’Connell rehabs.
Pickett Excited to Be Reunited With Geno Smith on Raiders
Being the new kid on the block, even at 27 years old, can be difficult. Pickett is no stranger to that at this point, yet it still presents a challenge. On a team like the Raiders, a franchise seeking immediate improvement, the pressure is only amplified.
Pickett does have a clear hierarchy working in his favor, though. Smith is the unquestioned starter, rookie Cam Miller isn’t ready for a serious role yet and O’Connell is stuck somewhere in between. He also has a preexisting tie to the most important piece of the puzzle.
Pickett revealed that he has plenty of familiarity with Smith. That’s been a huge help as he gets used to life with the Raiders.
“Geno’s awesome,” Pickett said. “We got to work together every day in the offseason. It’s actually crazy how this game works. He was kind of my training partner â we were pushing each other every day in the weight room. On the field, we were throwing like three times a week. It’s really funny now that we’re teammates, we’re kind of picking up right where we left off. He’s an awesome guy to learn from. [I’m] here for him, whatever he needs. He’s answering my questions. Obviously, I have a lot of them. I’m trying not to bother him too much. It’s a great relationship, for sure.”
In an ideal scenario, Pickett never has to see the field for Las Vegas. That’s life as a backup quarterback for a team with a consistent and durable starter.
As he continues to learn the playbook and settle in, he’s making a great first impression.
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