Kenny Pickett to Start for Raiders vs. Eagles as Geno Smith Sits: A Desperate Move or the Right One?
The Las Vegas Raiders have made it official: Kenny Pickett will start at quarterback this Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles. It’s a move that’s been looming for weeks, but the confirmation still lands with a thud - not because it’s shocking, but because it took this long to happen.
Geno Smith has been battling a right shoulder injury and absorbing hits all season long. Despite that, the Raiders stuck with him, with head coach Pete Carroll holding out hope that Smith could power through.
But that hope has finally run out. Whether it was stubbornness, optimism, or just a coach trying to squeeze one more win out of a spiraling season, Carroll stayed the course with Smith longer than most would have.
Now, the Raiders are turning to Pickett, and it’s happening under the weight of a seven-game losing streak in Philadelphia - a place that’s been a house of horrors for this franchise. The stakes are high, and the situation is far from ideal.
Let’s be clear: this isn’t a soft landing spot for Pickett. He’s stepping into a hostile environment against a desperate Eagles team that’s lost three straight and is fighting to keep pace in a tightening NFC East race.
On top of that, they know Pickett well - he was in their quarterback room just last season. That familiarity could be a major advantage for Philadelphia’s defense, which is already built to feast on inexperienced signal-callers.
Pickett will get some help with the expected return of left tackle Kolton Miller, which could help shore up an offensive line that’s been inconsistent at best. But even with Miller back, the Eagles’ pass rush is no joke. Pickett’s going to have to make quick decisions, and he’ll need to show more poise than he did in his previous limited action.
What’s interesting here is how Carroll framed the decision. “He's been actively taking charge when he gets the opportunities in practice, and we put him in a lot of competitive situations to try to force him to the front,” Carroll said earlier this week.
“... He's as ready as a guy can be that hasn't done much playing.”
That’s coach-speak for: we’re hoping for the best, but we know this is a big ask.
Carroll, to his credit, is still trying to project belief - in his players, in his system, in the culture he’s built. But the results haven’t followed.
The Raiders have been in freefall, and the pressure is mounting. Two coordinators have already been let go this season, and while that may have bought Carroll some time, the clock is ticking.
If the Raiders don’t show signs of life soon, it’s hard to imagine Carroll surviving Black Monday.
This week’s game won’t define Pickett’s career, but it could define the final chapter of Carroll’s tenure in Las Vegas. The Eagles are angry, motivated, and in must-win mode. The Raiders are reeling and rolling out a quarterback who hasn’t taken a regular-season snap in months.
If there’s any silver lining for Vegas, it’s that sometimes chaos breeds opportunity. Maybe Pickett surprises everyone.
Maybe the offensive line holds up. Maybe the Raiders find a spark in a season that’s been short on them.
But make no mistake: this is a high-wire act. And if it goes sideways, the fallout could be swift.