GENO SMITH SET TO LEAD LAS VEGAS RAIDERS’ OFFENSE WITH NEW HOPE FOR 2025

The Las Vegas Raiders are ushering in a new era under new leadership, and quarterback Geno Smith is ready to help guide them to better days. With a fresh start for the team, thanks to new minority owner Tom Brady and former Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll taking over, the Raiders have a solid foundation in place to build a more potent offense in 2025.

Carroll, who led the Seattle Seahawks to a successful Wild Card appearance in his first season with the team, has high hopes for this group. Alongside Smith, who played a significant role in Seattle’s recent success, the Raiders are looking to bounce back from an underwhelming 2024 season where their offense finished 27th in total yards and 29th in points.

Although the Raiders don’t have lofty expectations for their first season with Carroll and Smith at the helm, the potential for improvement is there. Smith will be leading an offense with solid pieces surrounding him, including wide receiver Jakobi Meyers, the arrival of rookie Ashton Jeanty, and standout tight end Brock Bowers. With Tre Tucker as an added weapon to stretch the field, Smith should have more tools to work with than he had in Seattle last season.

When it comes to fantasy football in 2025, Smith remains a bit under the radar. With an average draft position (ADP) of 171, ranking 26th among quarterbacks, he's being drafted well below other quarterbacks like Trevor Lawrence, Michael Penix Jr., and even rookie Cam Ward. However, Smith’s potential is often overlooked, and he could provide fantasy managers with a solid backup option in 2025.

Last season with Seattle, Smith was far from spectacular, finishing 17th among quarterbacks with 15.9 average fantasy points per game. But two seasons ago, he finished in the top six with an impressive 18.7 fantasy points per game. While it’s unlikely Smith will return to that elite level of production, he could certainly outperform expectations in 2025.

Smith will benefit from a relatively soft schedule, facing the AFC South, Cleveland Browns, and New York Giants—opponents that could allow him to put up solid numbers. With a competent offense around him and a coaching staff that knows how to get the best out of their players, Smith has the chance to deliver a few breakout weeks.

While it might be a stretch to expect Smith to be a QB1 in fantasy football this year, he’s a player who could end up as one of the top backups, with the potential for several strong performances throughout the season.

As the Raiders continue their rebuild, Geno Smith is looking like a savvy pick for anyone looking for depth at quarterback in fantasy leagues. With new hope for the team’s offense, Smith’s leadership could be just what the Raiders need to reach their full potential in 2025.