Who Should I Start? Geno Smith or Jalen Hurts

Wednesday, December 31, 3:41 PM

Las Vegas Raiders head coach Pete Carroll said that quarterback Geno Smith (ankle) will not play on Sunday against the division-rival Kansas City Chiefs in the Week 18 regular-season finale, according to Ryan McFadden of ESPN. "I hate closing the door on any opportunity, but it's going to be really hard for him," Carroll said. Smith suffered a serious ankle injury in the Week 17 loss to the New York Giants and won't suit up for a meaningless contest to close out the regular season. With the 35-year-old veteran wrapping up a brutal first year in the desert, backup Kenny Pickett is expected to start this weekend. Aidan O'Connell could also end up splitting time with Pickett against KC. Smith was one of the worst starting QBs in football in 2025, completing 67.4% of his 448 pass attempts for 3,205 yards, 19 touchdowns, and a league-leading 17 interceptions in 15 starts.

Friday, January 16, 8:08 PM

NFL sources familiar with the Philadelphia Eagles' organizational mindset think that they might draft a quarterback this spring, according to The Athletic's Michael Silver. Current QB Jalen Hurts, who has three years remaining on his five-year, $255 million extension, likely isn't going anywhere anytime soon, especially given owner Jeffrey Lurie's regard for him. After winning Super Bowl MVP honors a year ago, Hurts has been the source of much internal frustration, including from teammates other than receiver A.J. Brown. The 27-year-old ran the ball less in 2025, lessening his impact as a dual threat, and he also has limitations because of his lack of willingness to operate under center, an aversion to pre-snap motion, an inability to make quick post-snap reads, and a reluctance to try intermediate and in-breaking passes. Silver suggests that Hurts needs to be "pushed beyond his comfort zone," which could be done by drafting a QB and with a new voice at offensive coordinator.