The Las Vegas Raiders addressed their biggest offseason need last week when the team traded for quarterback Geno Smith in a blockbuster deal with the Seattle Seahawks.
Considering the level of quarterback play the Raiders got from Gardner Minshew and Aidan O’Connell last season, the two-time Pro Bowler should be an upgrade at the position by default.
However, based on one particular stat, Smith could offer an even bigger upgrade than we thought. That stat has to do with his performance indoors as compared to outdoors.
Smith, who played mostly outdoors during his three years as the starter with the Seahawks, has posted much better numbers when playing inside, which he will be doing plenty of with the Raiders.
Here’s a look at the numbers, per Warren Sharp of Sharp Football Analysis:
Geno Smith has among the largest splits INDOORS vs OUTDOORS his last 3 years as a starter:
INDOORS:
6.7:1 TD:INT rate (20:3)
+0.18 EPA/att
52% success
8.2 YPA
4.5% sack + INT rate
OUTDOORS:
1.6:1 TD:INT rate (53:33)
-0.03 EPA/att
45% success
7.2 YPA
10% sack + INT rate
Considering Smith posted strong numbers in Seattle and earned two Pro Bowl nods while playing mostly outdoors, there’s reason to believe he could be even better while playing the majority of his games under a roof.
Along with their nine home games, the Raiders will play three more contests at indoor venues with road matchups against the Los Angeles Chargers, Houston Texans and Indianapolis Colts on tap for 2025.
While that’s all well and good, the Raiders still have more work to do in order to put Smith in the best possible position to succeed.
Las Vegas desperately needs to add a true No. 1 wide receiver after trading away Davante Adams last year, and the team needs to add a starting running back after sporting the league’s worst rushing attack in 2024.
There are still some decent options out there at both positions in free agency, and the 2025 NFL Draft will afford another avenue to address those needs, especially when it comes to running back, which has a deep class of prospects this year.
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