Who Should I Start? Geno Smith or Josh Johnson

Wednesday, February 25, 8:43 AM

New Las Vegas Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak said that the team is "trying to see every possible avenue we can go next year at quarterback" and that incumbent quarterback Geno Smith is "definitely one of those options." Smith battled through a miserable season in his first year with the Raiders in 2025. Across 15 starts, the 35-year-old completed 67.4% of his pass attempts for 3,025 yards, 19 touchdowns, and 17 interceptions. The Raiders went 2-13 in Smith's starts, and Las Vegas fired former head coach Pete Caroll at the conclusion of the year. Smith is just one year removed from throwing for over 4,300 yards with the Seattle Seahawks in 2024, and he made back-to-back Pro Bowl appearances in 2022 and 2023. He could have more in the tank in a more favorable offensive environment than the one he experienced in 2025. However, the Raiders are widely expected to select University of Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the number one overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. If that happens, Smith would likely profile as a temporary starter in Las Vegas at best, if he even remains on the team's roster.

Friday, January 2, 1:19 PM

Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn officially named Josh Johnson as the team's starting quarterback for the Week 18 regular-season finale on Sunday against the division-rival Philadelphia Eagles, according to Tashan Reed of The Washington Post. Veteran Marcus Mariota (hand, quadriceps) will miss a second straight game to close out the year. Even though the Eagles will be resting key starters this weekend, Johnson will be hard-pressed to help fantasy managers without left tackle Laremy Tunsil (oblique) available. The 39-year-old signal-caller made his first start of the year in last week's Christmas Day loss to the Dallas Cowboys and went 15-for-23 passing for 198 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions. Even in two-QB leagues this weekend, fantasy managers should have better options to choose from than Johnson.