Geno Smith Returns to Practice, Reflects on Raiders’ Struggles and Future
After missing Week 15 with shoulder and back injuries, Raiders quarterback Geno Smith was back on the practice field Wednesday, working his way toward a possible return against the Texans. Whether he suits up this weekend is still up in the air - Smith made it clear he’s taking things “day by day” as he gauges how his body responds. But even as he eyes a return to the field, it’s impossible to ignore the bigger picture in Las Vegas.
At 2-12, the Raiders’ season has spiraled far from preseason expectations, and Smith isn’t sugarcoating it. “There’s no assessment to be made,” he said bluntly. “The record speaks for itself.”
It’s been a rough debut season in silver and black for the veteran quarterback, who admitted he didn’t see things playing out this way. Still, Smith emphasized he’s not going anywhere - at least not mentally. “I’m expecting to win a lot of games here,” he said, reaffirming his long-term commitment to the franchise despite a season that’s been anything but smooth.
That kind of mindset matters, especially in a locker room trying to find its footing amid a year filled with injuries, inconsistency, and a whole lot of frustration. Smith spoke about the urgency he feels - not just from himself, but across the organization.
“Everybody wants to win and everybody’s really urgent, so that’s what we’re pressing towards,” he said. “Everyone being urgent and getting things turned around.”
He’s not pretending there’s a quick fix, either. Smith acknowledged the long road ahead, noting, “Nothing happens in one day, one year. We would have loved to win the Super Bowl this year, but that’s not our reality right now.”
That reality? A team in need of a reset.
Smith’s focus, though, is on the day-to-day grind - improving, competing, and building something stronger. “We’ve got to get better, and we’ve got to focus on getting better day to day, and anything else outside of that really is nonsense.”
Smith is under contract for two more seasons, with $18.5 million guaranteed in 2026. That kind of commitment suggests he’ll be in the mix moving forward - but with the team trending toward a major offseason overhaul, nothing is set in stone.
One potential domino? The future of head coach Pete Carroll.
If leadership changes, it could have ripple effects throughout the roster, including at quarterback.
For now, Smith is focused on getting healthy and helping the Raiders finish the season with some pride. Whether he’s the long-term answer under center remains to be seen, but one thing’s clear - he’s not shying away from the challenge.