The Geno Smith experience hasn’t gotten off to a great start for the Las Vegas Raiders, but the team is committed to him going forward. Luckily, the team does have a capable backup in Kenny Pickett if things go awry.
It’s been a rocky start to Pickett’s career. He came into the NFL as a first-round pick, but the Pittsburgh Steelers quickly gave up on him. He was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles, then to the Cleveland Browns and then to the Raiders. This season, we’ve seen two former first-round pick quarterbacks who got off to rough starts only to find new life with different teams in Daniel Jones and Sam Darnold.
Brent Sobleski of Bleacher Report went through the quarterbacks he thinks could be “the next Sam Darnold,” and Pickett was at the top of the list.
“(Geno) Smith is another excellent example of a quarterback whose career finally blossomed later in the process,” Sobleski wrote.
“Pickett originally failed with the Pittsburgh Steelers after being the only quarterback selected in the first round of the 2022 NFL draft. He’s somewhat limited from a raw arm talent perspective, but the situation in Pittsburgh didn’t help matters with an uninspired offensive scheme and middling skill position weapons. Yet three teams have now traded for Pickett in 17 months, because they still see remaining growth potential. He can take what he’s learned from all of his stops and use the knowledge as a way to advance into another starting role.”
How Can Pickett Resurrect Career?
Pickett was a divisive player coming out of college. Many were surprised that he ended up being a first-round pick due to his lack of athletic upside. However, he was a successful quarterback in college and has shown flashes.
Pickett started a game for the Eagles last season and won. What he really needs is to get with a strong, offensive-minded coach. Darnold had Kyle Shanahan and Kevin O’Connell get him on track, while Jones had O’Connell and Shane Steichen get him right. If Pickett can land with one of these elite offensive coaches, he could have a chance to be a long-time starter.
Geno Smith Draws Praise From Bears DC
Smith is another quarterback who had to work really hard to get another chance to start. He’s not a perfect quarterback, but he’s turned into one of the better starters in the NFL. Chicago Bears defensive coordinator Dennis Allen had some praise for Smith heading into their Week 4 matchup.
“Geno’s played a lot of football. He’s been in a lot of different systems, he’s seen a lot of different things and I think he’s playing at a high level,” Allen said, via Raiders.com.
Allen also had praise for rookie running back Ashton Jeanty.
“He’s a violent runner,” Allen said. “He gets into the second, third level of the defense, he’s seeking out contact. He runs extremely hard. I think he’s an outstanding player. He’s got great vision, really good feet and he runs tough. He runs violent. And so, you’ve got to get a lot of hats around the ball on him.”
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