It's been a long time since the Las Vegas Raiders have had a quarterback-head coach duo that was good enough to win in the postseason.
It's been over 20 years, actually, so long ago that the idea of the Las Vegas Raiders being in Las Vegas was likely not even considered yet. Although, to that point, Al Davis was always thinking about innovative things, so maybe it was.
In 2002, the Raiders last won a playoff game, and this playoff game had a pretty good QB-HC combo. Jon Gruden, the first time around, of course, nearly won a Super Bowl with the Raiders. His QB at the time was Rich Gannon, who was a former journeyman QB who played for teams like the Kansas City Chiefs, Minnesota Vikings, and the Washington Commanders, who obviously were named something else at that time.
The two won playoff games, and Gannon won the MVP award. They haven't had that type of duo in a long time. But, with Geno Smith, the former Seattle Seahawks QB, and Pete Carroll, his former HC over there, they could have that. And, one guy who saw the Gruden-Gannon duo up close and personal agrees.
“I don’t want to say they are the same guy because that would be very disrespectful, but it almost feels like the way they acquired him is very Rich Gannon-like… I’m certainly optimistic it would come out that way, and the reason I say that is, I think Geno Smith is a capable QB that can win in this league," Former All-Pro Raiders OL Lincoln Kennedy said to Q Meyers.
"I think, surrounded by the right personnel and right scheme, that they can be successful. But we are also talking about a very uphill battle in the Raiders. I know how it went with Rich and Jon Gruden, and I saw him win them over, including me and the team. I’m hoping it’s the same thing with Geno Smith, because he has found a coach that believes in him… we are not asking you to be Lamar Jackson or Patrick Mahomes, we are asking you to be Geno Smith.”
Having a duo like that would be one of the things that would certainly catapult the Raiders into a position they haven't been in some time. They need playoff wins, and they need to consistently be a playoff team. That may not happen in Year 1 under this regime, but there will be improvements made.
I can certainly tell you, barring some crazy, unlucky things happening, this team will win more than four games in 2025. After that, it's all about improving and becoming a team that competes in the postseason. Having two dudes who know each other like the back of their hand, like Carroll and Smith do, will help that goal become possible, much like it was in 2002.
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