Raiders Receive Honest Take on Geno Smith, Kenny Pickett Situation
After the Las Vegas Raiders fell in Week 5 to the Indianapolis Colts, the calls for Kenny Pickett to take over under center grew louder. It was a disastrous performance from the offense as they could only muster six points in the 40-6 defeat.
Moreover, the turnovers for Geno Smith continued. Smith completed 25 of 36 pass attempts for 228 yards, but the veteran quarterback turned the ball over yet again with two interceptions.
Ahead of the Week 6 game against the Tennessee Titans, former NFL running back Rashad Jennings weighed in on whether it’s time to make a change at quarterback.
“I mean, obviously they did bring over Kenny Pickett just to be a backup,”
“Yes, of course, when your record is what it is and your quarterback hasn’t played extremely well—and he’s leading to the NFL and interceptions—sometimes you wonder. But I have no doubt
Time to See What Kenny Pickett Can Do for the Raiders
After the Week 6 loss to the Colts, former Raiders wide receiver James Jones isn’t calling Pickett the starter. Still, he criticized head coach Pete Carroll for not putting Pickett in once the game got out of hand to see what he could do.
“When you’re losing the way we have lost a couple of games this season, [you] put Kenny Pickett in there and see what he can do,” Jones said on “Raiders Postgame Live.”
“So now you’re losing a game and he’s struggling, and [you’re] putting him in a pass situation only for him to make another mistake. That’s not going to help his confidence. Put
Raiders Appear Not to Be Giving Up on Geno Smith
Smith was signed to provide veteran leadership for a young Raiders offense. Surprisingly, some of the errors you’d normally expect from first-, second-, or third-year players are coming from the 34-year-old quarterback. Still, Carroll clarified why Pickett wasn’t brought in once the game against the Colts was out of reach.
“Here’s the reason why I didn’t do that: We need to stay out there and keep practicing,“ Carroll said postgame when asked if there was a thought to bench Smith for Pickett. “We need to keep practicing, we need the reps, we need the turns, we need to run the system, we need to feel it, we need to see the guys get the opportunities to improve.
“I thought about it because there was a chance to do that. … That’s not what’s necessary. We need to get better and get right, so these are the games that we’re working on, and these are the games that we learn from and grow from so that we can change the course of the way games are going.”
Jaquan Brisker Injury Update: Will Bears DB Play Week 6 vs. Commanders?
Getty
Jaquan Brisker of the Chicago Bears.
Jaquan Brisker’s named unexpectedly popped up on the Chicago Bears‘ injury report this week, leading up to the team’s Week 6 matchup against the Washington Commanders.
The hard-hitting safety was nursing a quadriceps issue that kept him off the practice field Thursday. Unfortunately, considering his injury history, it’s always going to be a tad concerning whenever Brisker misses time. Fortunately for Brisker and the Bears, he was a full participant in Friday’s practice, a good sign he’ll be available to play Monday night against the Commanders.
It was his first notable setback of the season, so it may be something to keep an eye on in Washington, but if it were anything serious, he wouldn’t have been a full participant.
Jaquan Brisker’s Injury Not Serious, Will Likely Play Week 6 vs. Commanders
GettyJaquan Brisker of the Chicago Bears appeared on the injury report this week. He should play Week 6 vs. the Washington Commanders.
Any time Brisker’s name shows up on an injury report, it will probably draw attention because of what’s come before. As a rookie in 2022, he missed time with a concussion, and in 2023 he battled through hamstring and groin issues.
The following season was even more frustrating. A hard hit in 2024 landed him in concussion protocol and eventually onto the injured reserve list in mid-November, cutting short what was shaping up to be a strong campaign. He’s been vocal about how difficult that recovery was, and how determined he’s been to put that chapter behind him.
When healthy, Brisker is one of the most productive and underrated safeties in football. He racked up 104 tackles and 4.0 sacks as a rookie, followed by another 105 tackles in 2023. Before the concussion derailed his 2024 season, he had already logged 40 tackles, a sack, and an interception in just five games.
Through four games in 2025, he’s sitting at 21 total tackles with a pass defensed and a QB hit.
2025 Will Be a Huge Year for Brisker
This year’s campaign is especially crucial for Brisker. With starting corner Jaylon Johnson now on injured reserve and the secondary stretched thin, the Bears are relying heavily on their fourth-year safety to hold everything together.
His instincts in run support, ability to disguise blitzes and communication in coverage have always been assets, and defensive coordinator Dennis Allen has used him well so far. It’s fair to say that Brisker has been one of the most indispensable players on the Bears roster since his arrival, and he continues to be.
That’s why his rapid return to full practice participation this week is such a big deal. A midweek quadriceps flare-up could have turned into another frustrating storyline, but instead, it was a brief blip that ended with Brisker ready to go against Washington Week 6.
For a player whose 2024 season ended far too soon, seeing his name listed as a full participant had to give everyone associated with the team a huge sigh of relief. With Chicago sitting at 2-2 and still fighting to prove itself in a loaded NFC, that’s some of the best news they could’ve gotten all week.
Packers Close to Trade for 272-Yard Veteran WR to Pair With Romeo Doubs — Pending Final Talks
Green Bay, WI — The Green Bay Packers are reportedly finalizing trade discussions to acquire
a veteran wide receiver with 272 yards this season, a move aimed at strengthening their offense alongside
Romeo Doubs, according to multiple league sources.
The player in question is believed to be
Calvin Ridley of the Tennessee Titans, who has averaged 18.1 yards per catch
across five games in 2025. Ridley, though yet to record a touchdown this season, remains one of the NFL’s most polished route runners and deep-ball threats.
Per Josh Weil of Pro Football & Sports Network
, the framework of the trade is nearly complete:
Packers receive: WR Calvin Ridley, 2027 seventh-round pick
Titans receive: WR Malik Heath, 2026 sixth-round pick
The Packers (2-1-1) enter Week 6 ranked in the NFL’s top 10 in scoring but continue to lack a true No. 1 receiver. Tight end
Tucker Kraft currently leads the team in receptions, while injuries to
Jayden Reed and inexperience from rookie Matthew Golden have left quarterback Jordan Love in need of another reliable target.
Meanwhile, the Titans, sitting at 1-4, are expected to be sellers ahead of the trade deadline. Ridley’s $28 million cap hit and age (30) make him an ideal trade piece for a rebuilding franchise.
If completed, the move would immediately upgrade Green Bay’s passing attack — giving Love a seasoned playmaker to complement Doubs and potentially reigniting Ridley’s career in a playoff-caliber environment.
