The Geno Smith experiment with the Las Vegas Raiders hasn’t gone as planned. Moreover, it could be a one-and-done season for the veteran quarterback. As a result, it appears that the Silver and Black could be looking for a signal caller this offseason.
Now, there are different ways that the Raiders could go about finding their long-term solution at quarterback. If Pete Carroll returns, it’s hard to imagine Las Vegas taking the draft route, given the coach’s age.
With this option being the unlikeliest, the following route leaves free agency and trade. During the December 5 edition of the “Silver & Black Sports Network Podcast,” host Jesse Merrick asked Pro Football Focus’ Dalton Wasserman if, if the Raiders went the trade-for-a-veteran route, would Arizona Cardinals‘ Kyler Murray make sense?
“I think in the same way that keeping Geno Smith would be a one-year band-aid, I think Kyler Murray would probably be the same thing,” Wasserman said. “I’m not a huge fan of the way that he’s thrown the football over the last year and a half. It’s been very inconsistent. It’s been very conservative.”
Murray could be on the way out of Arizona as head coach Jonathan Gannon said on December 5 that the quarterback wouldn’t be returning to the team for these last few games of the 2025 NFL season.
The player’s foot injury hasn’t progressed to the point where he could play. As a result, this could be the opening for the Cardinals to move in a different direction.
The Reason Why the Raiders Should Avoid Kyler Murray
Wasserman didn’t stop at Murray’s mechanics regarding throwing the football in recent seasons. Moreover, he discussed other attributes of the player that would be a significant concern for any team trading for him.
“I just think if he’s not going to be used in the run game with his legs in a dynamic way, then you’re really limiting your options with him, especially the deep ball,” Wasserman added. “The vertical passing doesn’t look as good as it used to look. And that, in his prime, when he was an MVP candidate, that was really one of the best attributes about him was the deep ball and his ability to make an explosive play at any given time.
“This year, it’s been too conservative. I would be concerned that Jacoby Brissett walked in there and started creating more opportunities vertically down the field immediately than Murray did. So I don’t think that would be a long-term solution.”
Las Vegas Should End Geno Smith Experiment
Regardless of whether it’s Murray or someone else, CBS Sports NFL analyst Damien Harris believes it may be time for the Raiders to move on from Smith this offseason, now that playoff hopes are officially over.
“A change of quarterback is what needs to happen,” Harris said on the November 30 edition of “CBS Sports HQ.” “That’s where this starts. Geno Smith has not been good all season long, whether it’s the turnovers or not seeing the field properly.
“They’re not finding ways creatively to get Ashton Jeanty going. Brock Bowers has been limited. At times, he’s been injured. When he plays, he still shows those flashes, but they’re just not doing enough to scheme that guy open and get the production out of him that you need.
“You get rid of one of your top receivers, Jakobi Meyers, and that leaves you depleted in the pass catcher position. In totality, this team needs to get better in a lot of areas, but the biggest place I’m circling with a red marker is quarterback.”
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