The Las Vegas Raiders are at the point of the season where they might want to start making big changes. Starting quarterback Geno Smith has struggled, but the team doesn’t seem keen on replacing him with Kenny Pickett.
A big reason why Pickett is even on the roster was that Aidan O’Connell got hurt before the season and had to be placed on Injured Reserve. The young quarterback returned to practice recently, but the Raiders have held off on activating him to the roster.
The 21-day period was up this week, so Las Vegas had to make a decision. The Raiders announced on Wednesday that O’Connell has been activated to the 53-man roster.
The Raiders now have three quarterbacks on the active roster. It doesn’t seem likely that the team would cut O’Connell or Pickett right now, so they’ll have to compete for the backup job.
As far as Week 12 against the Cleveland Browns is concerned, it’s more likely that Pickett will be Smith’s backup. He’s been working with the offense all season, while O’Connell has been getting healthy. Even though O’Connell has been practicing, he might not be ready to play yet. Regardless, Smith now has more competition he has to worry about the rest of the season.
Can O’Connell Supplant Smith as Starting QB?
At this point, the Raiders have nothing to lose by letting O’Connell or Pickett play. They are both significantly younger than Smith and could make a case that they deserve a starting opportunity next season.
The problem facing them is that head coach Pete Carroll seems very loyal to Smith. The Raiders gave the quarterback a lot of money, and don’t seem to love the idea of him sitting on the bench.
At the same time, it’s clear that Smith is not the quarterback of the future. It’s hard to imagine that O’Connell or Pickett would be, but they at least offer something different. The Raiders should be evaluating young talent the rest of the season, but Carroll might have a different idea.
Carroll Standing By Smith
Smith hasn’t gotten much help, but that doesn’t change the fact that he hasn’t been good. O’Connell was better with much of the same roster for the Raiders last year. For now, it doesn’t sound like the Raiders will make a change.
Carroll made it clear that he’s still standing behind Smith for now.
“I continue to really believe in him. I have no hesitation in telling you that,” Carroll told reporters Tuesday. “He’s an incredible player, and he’s busting his tail and working at it really hard. He has not backed off one step.”
Carroll is still confident that Smith can turn things around if he gets more help.
“We’re counting on that he’s gonna keep working,” Carroll said. “He’ll come through for us. We just gotta help him out more, gotta protect him better.”
Smith has played well the last few years, but he looks like he has no confidence with the Raiders. No matter what happens the rest of the season, it’s difficult to see Smith as the Week 1 starter in Las Vegas next season.
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