Raiders Get Honest Words on Pete Carroll, Geno Smith’s Future
When the Las Vegas Raiders hired Pete Carroll and traded for Geno Smith last offseason, they were doing so with the intention of being a competitive team. However, that hasn’t gone as planned with the Silver and Black having a 2-8 record.
Moreover, at times, the Raiders have not looked competitive and look like a team that’s in desperate need of a rebuild. While Carroll and Smith were brought in to bring short-term stability, one sports media host is telling Las Vegas it might be time for a rebuild.
On the November 18 edition of “The Jim Rome Show,” host Jim Rome stated that after a nightmare season under Carroll, it’s time for the Raiders to blow up the project and go in a different direction.
“Once again, Raider Nation, I am sorry to report your entire operation is rotten to the core yet again,” Rome said. “It needs to be blown up yet again. Blow it up. Burn it down. Set the ashes on fire. Start over from scratch again.
“Here’s some free advice, too. My best advice to you next time: Do not turn to a 74-year-old man to change your entire culture and change the entire course of your entire franchise. It’s asking a lot. Yes, I admit it seemed like a pretty good idea at the time. Not so much now.”
Jim Rome Doesn’t Hold Back on Raiders’ Geno Smith
Rome didn’t stop at Carroll in advising the Raiders to pull the plug on this project with the veteran head coach. The sports media host then turned his attention to Smith after another game in which the Raiders quarterback turned the ball over and was ineffective.
“It’s not like the Geno Smith situation hasn’t been a complete disaster or anything,” Rome added. “… Not saying it’s all on him. But Geno, my guy, what happened to you, dude? They wrote you off, and you didn’t write back, remember? Well, now they’re writing you off again. And this time, they’re right
“Granted, I know you’re not getting much help in front of you. You’re not getting much help at all. But you’re not helping yourself either, and you’re not helping
Pete Carroll Sticking With Geno Smith as Raiders QB
Despite Smith’s struggles this season, Carroll continues to back him even as the Raiders’ offense remains a non-threat to opposing defenses. The loss to the
Nonetheless, as he has all season, Carroll is backing Smith.
“I continue to really believe in him,” Carroll said on November 18 (h/t Ryan McFadden of ESPN). “I have no hesitation in telling you that. He’s an incredible player, and he’s busting his tail, and he’s working really hard at it. He has not backed off one step throughout the process. … He’ll come through for us.”
Ex-Saints WR Linked To Steelers After Shocking Release
The New Orleans Saints are one of the worst teams in the league this season and they took a few steps toward their rebuild at the trade deadline.
This week, they took another step toward that rebuild. The Saints opted to cut ties with veteran wide receiver Brandin Cooks in an attempt to save a bit of money. Cooks is able to sign a deal with any team in the league at this point.
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Bleacher Report's Adam Wells recently suggested the Pittsburgh Steelers could be a potential fit for Cooks in free agency for the rest of the season. The Steelers notably whiffed on other top wide receivers at the trade deadline.
Sep 7, 2025; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints wide receiver Brandin Cooks (10) is tackled by the Arizona Cardinals during the second half at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images / Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
"After being mentioned as a potential trade candidate earlier this month, New Orleans Saints wide receiver Brandin Cooks will be able to pick his next destination for the remainder of the season," Wells wrote. "For teams seeking help at wide receiver for the stretch run, Cooks immediately becomes a viable option as soon as he hits the free-agent market. Some of the playoff contenders with an obvious need at wideout include the Buffalo Bills, Pittsburgh Steelers and Green Bay Packers.
"The Steelers were all over the receiver market prior to the Nov. 4 deadline, but were unable to make a deal. They reportedly made offers to the Saints for Shaheed and Las Vegas Raiders for Jakobi Meyers that were both turned down. DK Metcalf has been exactly what Pittsburgh wanted when he was acquired from the Seattle Seahawks in the offseason. No other pass-catcher on the Steelers has more than 300 receiving yards entering Week 12."
The Steelers need one more wide receiver for the stretch run of the season. They would have been a perfect fit for Rashid Shaheed at the trade deadline, but they whiffed on him.
Now, adding Cooks would be the perfect fit. He's not going to be a superstar if he signs with the Steelers, but he would fill a valuable role in the team's offense.
The move would be affordable and easy to make. There's very low risk to it, but potentially a decent amount of reward if he plays well.
