The Las Vegas Raiders finally got a glimpse of what life could look like with a different quarterback under center - and it might just be the spark this offense has been waiting for.
Geno Smith, who’s held onto the starting job all season despite a rocky run, was once again the man to start in Week 14 against the Denver Broncos. And to be fair, he came out firing. The Raiders opened the game with a crisp, efficient drive that ended in a 15-yard touchdown pass to Brock Bowers - a perfectly placed ball that capped off what looked like a statement possession.
But that early promise faded fast. The offense stalled, the rhythm vanished, and Smith’s day took a physical toll.
He left the game twice - first with a cut on his throwing hand, and later with a right shoulder injury. The severity of those injuries is still unclear, but the situation opened the door for something Raiders fans have been waiting on all year: a chance to see what Kenny Pickett could do.
And Pickett didn’t waste the opportunity.
Thrown into the fire mid-game, Pickett didn’t look rattled. He started with a quick completion to Jack Bech, showing poise in the pocket and the kind of mobility the Raiders haven’t consistently seen from Smith. Even on a fourth-down incompletion to Bowers, Pickett extended the play with his legs, kept his eyes downfield, and gave his tight end a legitimate shot in the end zone.
From there, the former first-rounder started to find his rhythm. He led two scoring drives against a Denver defense that, while playing softer coverage late, still features plenty of talent and bite. Pickett finished 8-of-11 for 97 yards and a touchdown, adding a six-yard scramble for good measure.
The highlight? A 25-yard laser to Shedrick Jackson - his first NFL catch, and it went for six. It was a confident, on-time throw that cut through the defense and, frankly, may have been the best pass a Raiders quarterback has made all season.
Now, let’s be clear: Pickett didn’t light up the stat sheet or suddenly turn the Raiders into a juggernaut. But what he did do was look composed, mobile, and decisive - three things that have been missing from this offense for much of the year. And he did it in limited snaps, without the benefit of a full week of reps with the starters.
That’s why this decision should be straightforward for the Raiders.
With a 2-11 record and the postseason long out of reach, there’s little reason to keep trotting out a banged-up Smith. He’s battled through injuries all year, and now he’s dealing with two more.
The Raiders know what they have in him. What they don’t know is whether Pickett can be more than just a backup with upside - and these final few games offer the perfect window to find out.
This isn’t about chasing meaningless wins in December. It’s about evaluation, development, and maybe - just maybe - building some momentum heading into a pivotal offseason. Pickett has earned a longer look, and unless Smith makes a full recovery and suddenly starts lighting it up, there’s no football reason not to give it to him.
Sure, there’s the draft pick angle. Winning a couple of late-season games could nudge the Raiders down the order, and that matters.
But the people making decisions in the building aren’t operating with a tanking mindset - they’re trying to build something sustainable. And that starts with finding out who can help them win games, not just in 2025, but beyond.
Pickett’s performance wasn’t perfect, but it was promising. And right now, that’s exactly what the Raiders need.