Raiders’ Geno Smith Gets Bold Take That Will Worry NFL Rivals
The Las Vegas Raiders look to have their QB1 settled with Geno Smith, who guided the Silver and Black to a Week 1 road win over the New England Patriots.
Smith was sharp in his debut, completing 24 of 34 passes for 362 yards and a touchdown. His lone score came early, a 26-yard strike to Tre Tucker in the first quarter.
The veteran also found rookie tight end Brock Bowers for five catches totaling 103 yards, and in the fourth quarter, he connected with fellow rookie Dont’e Thornton Jr. on a 36-yard completion that helped seal the victory.
After the performance, CBS Sports’ Leger Douzable said having Smith under center could give opposing teams headaches throughout the season when they line up against Las Vegas.
“People are going to hate to see the Raiders on the schedule, and it’s because of Geno Smith,” Douzable said on “CBS Sports HQ.“ “Nobody throws more perfect passes than him. He set a record for a quarterback debuting for the Raiders with 362 pass yards. Brock Bowers, I know he got banged up in the game, and it seems like he will be all right. Over 100 yards.
“He’s still a mismatch that nobody wants to see safety or a linebacker. Jakobi Meyers, I know he wanted a new deal. He played really well in that game. Me and you talked about Dont’e Thornton being that down-the-field threat. They got him the ball a few times. I think this is a team, like you said, the best of Ashton Jeanty. Now, we saw a physical run at the goal line, and that’s what he’s synonymous with.”
NFL Teams Don’t Want to See the Raiders
Douzable isn’t predicting that Las Vegas will be a playoff team. However, they are going to make life difficult for any team that the Silver and Black face will be in for a long contest
“This is a team that, when people see them on the schedule, they’re going to say, ‘We’re in for a dogfight,'” Douzable added. “I’m not saying they’re making the playoffs, but they’re going to be a tough out week in and week out.”
It will be interesting to see if the Raiders take this approach of having tightly contested games can be enough for the team to put themselves in a playoff position.
Geno Smith Staying Grounded Despite Strong Start
After the victory over the Patriots, Smith told CBS Sports he’s happy to kick off his time in Las Vegas with a strong start. Despite the praise he’s receiving as a former Seattle Seahawks quarterback, Smith remains focused, approaching each game step by step.
“Just one win, “ Smith said. “We’ve got a long ways to go. Happy we got to win, but we got to work tomorrow. I’m ready for work… I think we just stuck with the game plan. I thought we did execute it better in the second half. It’s a four-quarter game. They’re a good team as well. I mean, it’s the NFL. They’re going to win some as well. But we stuck with it, no one panicked, and we kept going, and we figured it out.”
Seahawks Pro Bowler Blowing Opportunity for Huge Contract: What’s Going Wrong?
The Seattle Seahawks were hoping that their Pro Bowl talent would continue to shine as they looked to lock him down to a lucrative long-term contract. However, recent performances have raised serious doubts about whether he’ll secure the deal he’s been eyeing. The player, who has been a key figure in the Seahawks' defense for years, is now at a crossroads where his future and financial security may be hanging in the balance.
For a player with his pedigree and prior accolades, including multiple Pro Bowls, expectations have always been high. Yet, instead of showcasing the consistency and playmaking ability that led to his past success, he’s struggled to deliver in high-pressure moments. The most recent games, particularly in the 2025 season opener, left many wondering if his best years are behind him. The once-explosive defender, known for his ability to make game-changing plays, now finds himself facing criticism for missed opportunities and inconsistent performances.
While injuries have played a role in the player's decline, the team has stood by him, hoping that with the right coaching and support, he would return to his former Pro Bowl form. However, in a business like the NFL, where contract negotiations are based on performance, time is running out for him to prove that he deserves the massive contract extension he seeks.
Experts are beginning to question whether the Seahawks will be willing to invest a significant portion of their salary cap into a player who is no longer playing at the elite level he once was. With the salary cap getting tighter and Seattle needing to invest in younger talent, the pressure on the veteran to prove his worth has never been higher.
It’s not just about the stats either. Teams are looking for leadership and consistency, and this player’s recent struggles to impact the game on a consistent basis have raised doubts. As the season progresses, if these issues aren’t addressed, the player may find himself in a difficult position when it comes to contract talks.
The question now is, can the player rise to the occasion and turn his season around? With his contract on the line and the team's future at stake, the pressure will only mount in the coming weeks. For Seahawks fans, it’s a tough pill to swallow—watching a Pro Bowl-caliber player fail to capitalize on his biggest opportunity yet.
As the deadline for contract discussions looms closer, one thing is certain: the clock is ticking, and the player must perform at his highest level if he wants to secure the massive contract he desires.
