Pete Carroll and Chip Kelly Clash Over Decision to Start or Bench Geno Smith for Next Game
Tensions between Pete Carroll, head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders, and Chip Kelly have emerged over the critical decision regarding Geno Smith’s status for the upcoming game. The two coaches, known for their strategic minds, have publicly disagreed on whether Smith should start or remain on the bench, sparking heated discussions among fans and analysts alike.
Carroll, who has shown faith in Smith’s leadership and abilities throughout the season, was adamant about giving the veteran quarterback another chance to lead the team. "Geno has been a great leader for us, and I believe he gives us the best chance to win," Carroll said. "I know there have been ups and downs, but I’m confident in his ability to bounce back and perform when it matters most."
However, Kelly, who has been more critical of Smith's inconsistent performances, has voiced concerns about the quarterback's ability to execute under pressure. "We need to evaluate what’s best for the team moving forward," Kelly stated. "If Geno’s not performing at the level we need, then it’s time to make a change. We can’t afford to continue with inconsistency at the most important position on the field."
The disagreement has caused a stir within the Raiders' locker room, with players divided on whether Smith should remain the starter or if a change is necessary. Smith, who has faced criticism for some recent struggles, has been handling the pressure with his usual professionalism, expressing his commitment to improving.
"I know I’ve got to be better, and I’m doing everything I can to get back to my best," Smith said. "But ultimately, it’s up to the coaches to make the decision, and I’ll respect whatever they decide."
As the Raiders prepare for the next game, all eyes are on the coaching decision, with both Carroll and Kelly offering differing perspectives on how best to move forward. The controversy is likely to continue, but one thing is certain: the outcome of the decision will have a significant impact on the Raiders' playoff hopes.
Steelers’ Quarterback Gamble: Why Aaron Rodgers Was Chosen Over Justin Fields and What Lies Ahead
The Pittsburgh Steelers entered the 2025 offseason with a clear mandate: win now. With a talented, aging defense led by stars T.J. Watt and Cam Heyward, the team recognized that their window to compete for a championship was narrow. That urgency drove the decision to pursue Aaron Rodgers in free agency, a move signaling a “maximize the moment” mindset rather than building for the long term.
ESPN NFL analyst Albert Breer recently offered insight into the Steelers’ quarterback strategy in his mailbag, explaining why the team ultimately passed on the younger, highly touted Justin Fields. “Part of the equation in signing Aaron Rodgers was that they only had so many swings left with guys such as T.J. Watt and Cam Heyward, and wanted to take advantage of the opportunity in front of them,” Breer wrote. “They actually did look really hard at bringing back Justin Fields, but what stopped them, as best I could ascertain, was that they needed to find a way to move the needle at that spot to become more than the fringe playoff team they’ve been the past few years.”
Fields, just 26 years old, was widely seen as a potential cornerstone for Pittsburgh’s future. He had already demonstrated promise in Chicago and showed flashes of high-level quarterback play. Yet, the Steelers were more concerned with immediate results. Rodgers’ Hall of Fame pedigree and championship experience outweighed the potential of developing Fields over the next several years.
This approach mirrors past Steelers decisions, such as the switch to Russell Wilson after Fields had them at 4-2 last season. Experience and proven skill at the quarterback position have consistently been prioritized over longer-term development when the team believes the defensive window is closing. The hiring of Rodgers, then, was less about ignoring Fields and more about seizing the opportunity to maximize the team’s competitive window.
Breer also warned of what lies ahead once Rodgers’ era inevitably concludes. “This is their swing at it, and post-Aaron Rodgers, there’s probably a pretty serious retooling coming,” he wrote. While head coach Mike Tomlin’s position remains secure—he signed a three-year extension last offseason—the team’s leadership, including the Rooney family and general manager Omar Khan, will eventually have to decide how to transition the roster and coaching staff for the next era.
For now, the Steelers are focused on the 2025 season, with Rodgers under center leading a team loaded with veteran talent. But the clock is ticking. The “win-now” window that drove Rodgers’ acquisition is finite, and failure to reach the playoffs or make a deep run will accelerate discussions about roster changes, quarterback succession, and potential restructuring.
In essence, Pittsburgh’s strategy reflects both the promise and peril of operating in the present: Rodgers offers a chance to contend immediately, but the franchise must prepare for the post-Rodgers reality, which Breer predicts will involve a significant retooling and a new blueprint for long-term success.
