Geno Smith's Uneven Start Raises Doubts Over Raiders' 75M Deal

Geno Smith's Uneven Start Raises Doubts Over Raiders' $75M Deal

The Las Vegas Raiders have extended their losing streak to three games after a narrow 7-10 defeat to the Denver Broncos, marking their seventh loss in nine matchups this season.

Raiders' Struggles Against Broncos

Geno Smith, the Raiders' quarterback, faced intense pressure from the Broncos’ defense, being sacked six times during the game. Despite strong defensive efforts, fans found Smith's performance disappointing given his high salary.

Questions Over Smith's Contract

Smith’s inconsistent start to the NFL season has sparked debate over whether he merits the $75 million, two-year contract extension he received.

Previous Performance Expectations

Many anticipated the Raiders would end their losing streak against the Broncos on Thursday Night Football (6 November), especially after Smith’s impressive previous game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Against the Jaguars, Smith threw four passing touchdowns with a 74.4% completion rate.
The Raiders narrowly lost that game 29-30.

Broncos’ Defensive Prowess

The Broncos currently lead the league with 40 sacks.
Their defense has recorded 100 quarterback pressures and 38 knockdowns.
Denver allows the second-fewest passing touchdowns in the NFL.

Smith's Season Stats Under Pressure

Completed 66% of passes under pressure.
Sacked 21 times so far this season.
Tied for the league lead in interceptions.
Average time to throw the ball is 2.86 seconds, according to Next Gen Stats.

"The key to gaining an advantage over Denver was to get the ball out quickly."

Smith's early season inconsistency continues to fuel debate over the Raiders’ decision to invest heavily in him.

Author's summary: Geno Smith’s spotty start with the Raiders raises concerns about his $75 million contract as pressure from the Broncos' top-ranked defense highlights his struggles.

International Business Times UK — 2025-11-07