Geno Smith Las Vegas Raiders
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Geno Smith #7 of the Las Vegas Raiders.
The Las Vegas Raiders made a point of making significant changes during the NFL offseason to get this storied franchise back on track. The team hired Pete Carroll, traded for Geno Smith and drafted Ashton Jeanty, which many believed would be game-changing moves.
After the first five games of the 2025 campaign, the Raiders are sitting at 1-4 with a lot more questions than answers, especially when it comes to Smith leading the way under center moving forward.
Although Carroll has been adamant about his confidence in Smith, the interceptions are piling up, and the Raiders are coming off a six-point performance against the Indianapolis Colts. Smith is on the hot seat after Week 5, with calls for Kenny Pickett likely getting louder and louder.
NBA Superstar Damian Lillard Wants the Raiders to Trade for Shedeur Sanders
Damian Lillard Portland Trail Blazers
GettyDamian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers.
As a diehard Raiders fan from Oakland, California, NBA superstar Damian Lillard of the Portland Trail Blazers never holds back his opinion about the football team he loves and has supported his whole life.
After Week 5’s disappointing blowout loss to the Colts, Lillard took to social media to express his frustration, while also suggesting it is time to move on from Smith and bring in Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders, who is currently third on the quarterback depth chart with the team that drafted him.
Time to gone ahead and trade for shedeur man smfh
— Damian Lillard (@Dame_Lillard) October 5, 2025
Clearly, Lillard is done with the Geno Smith experiment and is ready for the team to address its future with a young quarterback in Sanders.
Although it appears Lillard thinks Smith is done being a starting quarterback in the NFL, at least for the Raiders, he doesn’t believe the veteran signal-caller is “washed,” as he made clear.
He not washed… he just turning the ball over. But it’s time to get shedeur on the team and get ready for the future. https://t.co/JIuZCMfEph
— Damian Lillard (@Dame_Lillard) October 5, 2025
At this point, it seems like a stretch that the Raiders would give up more assets for another quarterback after trading for Smith and Pickett. The logical move would be to go with Pickett first, and if that doesn’t work, pick up the phone and call the Browns about Sanders’ availability.
Shedeur Sanders: The Answer for the Raiders?
Shedeur Sanders Cleveland Browns
GettyShedeur Sanders #12 of the Cleveland Browns.
Through the five games of the season, Smith has thrown nine interceptions to his six touchdown passes. This is not what you want to see from a veteran quarterback that the team traded for to provide some stability at the quarterback position in Las Vegas.
Even though there’s still time for Smith to turn things around, the Raiders can’t wait that much longer for results, as a decision will have to be made. The receiving corps has question marks, but there are some potent weapons at Smith’s disposal, like Jeanty and tight end Brock Bowers.
However, the offensive line hasn’t been great, with the veteran under siege each game.
This will be a tough week for Carroll and the team’s front office, as the loss to the Colts might’ve been a tipping point. Then there’s the Browns, who have decided to bench Joe Flacco and go with rookie Dillon Gabriel as their starter moving forward.
Sanders must be frustrated with his situation, especially after being passed over multiple times during the 2025 NFL Draft. It wouldn’t be all that surprising if he were for a trade to the Raiders, but does Carroll want to bring in a quarterback that might become more of a distraction rather than a boost in an area of need?
It’ll be interesting to see what the Raiders‘ brass does this week and if trading for Sanders becomes an option, or if they stick with Smith or start Pickett.