Anonymous Coach Pinpoints Biggest Flaw in Geno Smith’s Game

The Las Vegas Raiders were entangled in many quarterback rumors this offseason, but ended up landing on Geno Smith. He may not be as exciting a name as Matthew Stafford or Shedeur Sanders, but he’s played at a consistently high level the last three seasons, making two Pro Bowls.

It was a long road for Smith to go from being a backup to earning a starting job again, but once he did, he proved that he’s at the very least a solid starter. The Athletic’s Mike Sando recently put together his quarterback tiers ahead of the 2025 season.

Smith landed in Tier 3 and was ranked as the 19th-best quarterback in the NFL. That puts him in the bottom half of starting quarterbacks. While plenty of coaches like what Smith brings to a team, some don’t think he does anything overly special.

“Geno is pretty good at everything, but nothing stands out as an elite trait,” a defensive coordinator told The Athletic. “There is not one X-Man power where you are like (expletive), this guy.”

Another coach doesn’t believe Smith is anything more than a game manager.

“He is a game manager who is going to turn the ball over and can’t carry it,” a coach who played against Smith said. “Even when the team is good, you are always going to feel like we don’t quite have the guy.”

Other Coaches Praise Smith

There are some coaches who are down on Smith, but others think very highly of him. One coach pointed to his success late in games and against high-level teams.

“He has as good of arm talent as anyone, he is accurate and he has won games where he was the reason in some of those fourth-quarter victories and shootouts,” an offensive coordinator said. “He has had some struggles, too. What prevents him from being in that elite level? In the games that are really, really hard, he has not overcome those, although they did beat San Francisco this past year.”

Another coach thinks that Smith belongs alongside quarterbacks like Jalen Hurts, Dak Prescott and Brock Purdy in Tier 2.

“I think he’s a 2 because when the game is on the line, he can make the throws to win,” a head coach said. “He stands in there. Guys that can stand in there, take hits when the game is on the line, whether it’s third down or two-minute, those guys are legit.”

Smith Could Continue to Improve in Las Vegas

Smith had winning records in three straight seasons with the Seahawks despite a lack of running game, changes on the coaching staff and one of the worst offensive lines in the NFL. The offensive line is a question mark for the Raiders, but it should be an improvement over what he had in Seattle.

Las Vegas used the No. 6 pick to select running back Ashton Jeanty, so the running game should be better. Now, Smith had better wide receiver talent in Seattle, but he also didn’t have tight end Brock Bowers.

Also, offensive coordinator Chip Kelly should be the best play caller he’s had in his career. Smith has a chance to make some serious strides in Las Vegas.