Carroll backs Geno Smith: “I trust him”, despite interceptions.

Las Vegas Raiders coach Pete Carroll defended his starting quarterback, Geno Smith, after he threw his thirteenth interception in the 33-16 loss to the Dallas Cowboys on “Monday Night Football”.

I still believe in him a lot. I wouldn’t hesitate to tell you that. He’s an incredible player, and he’s giving it his all, and he’s working really hard at it. He hasn’t backed down one bit throughout the whole process.

Pete Carroll, Raiders coach

Carroll expressed his confidence in Smith, despite the circumstances. Smith played behind an offensive line with Stone Forsythe as the backup left tackle and Will Putnam as the backup center, due to injuries to starters Kolton Miller and Jackson Powers-Johnson. Smith completed 27 of 42 passes (64.3%) for 238 yards, one touchdown, and a passer rating of 77.3. He was sacked four times and pressured on 16 of 49 pass attempts.

The Raiders’ game strategy reflected Carroll’s confidence in Smith, with 84% of plays designed for passing, the team’s highest rate since 2012. Las Vegas only ran the ball 12 times for 27 yards. Smith’s interception occurred in the second quarter when he attempted to send the ball to tight end Brock Bowers. Cowboys linebacker Kenneth Murray Jr. deflected Smith’s pass, and safety Markquese Bell intercepted it. Carroll commented that Smith should have passed the ball to rookie running back Ashton Jeanty, who had a lot of open space. Carroll added that Smith has a competitive nature, but that a better decision could have been made on that play. Smith is tied with Tua Tagovailoa, quarterback for the Miami Dolphins, for the most interceptions in the league, and it’s the most for a Raiders quarterback in the team’s first 10 games in the last 30 seasons. Smith, 35, ranks 29th in passer rating (80.9) and 31st in QBR (32.6), behind Justin Fields, quarterback for the New York Jets.

For me, again, I just have to play better. I keep saying this, if something doesn’t look good, it’s my fault. That’s all you can do. Blame me. If your kids mess up at school, blame me. If the car breaks down on the way to work, blame me.

Geno Smith, Raiders quarterback

Carroll has protected Smith during the Raiders’ 2-8 season. However, if these issues continue in the last seven regular season games, the 74-year-old coach could be forced to make a difficult decision at the position, both now and in the future. Backup quarterback Aidan O’Connell (wrist) was designated to return from the injured reserve list on October 29. Carroll said the team will soon decide whether to activate O’Connell to the active roster or keep him on the injured list for the rest of the season. On Tuesday, Las Vegas waived safety Chris Smith II and released offensive tackle Leroy Watson IV from the practice squad, which could open the door for O’Connell to join the 53-man roster. Kenny Pickett has been the team’s second quarterback so far.

We’ve been giving O’Connell some work against the first-team defense and all that to bring him along as quickly as possible. He’s had quite a few opportunities to practice to start, so he’s done well too.

Pete Carroll, Raiders coach

The Raiders are on their way to obtaining a high selection in the 2026 NFL draft. The Raiders are projected to have the fourth selection, according to ESPN’s Football Power Index. They have an 8.9% chance of securing the first selection and a 62.5% chance of being selected in the top five, which means the team could be in a position to select one of the best quarterback prospects. The Raiders haven’t selected a quarterback in the first round since they took JaMarcus Russell at number 1 in 2007. Smith signed a two-year, $75 million extension after being traded from the Seattle Seahawks. He has a salary cap hit of $18.5 million and has no remaining guaranteed money on his contract after 2026. The Raiders will likely be in the market for quarterbacks in the offseason. For now, Smith remains the man.

We just have to help him more, we have to protect him better.

Pete Carroll, Raiders coach