As the 2025 NFL season intensifies, Geno Smith has made one thing abundantly clear: he’s not interested in the off-field chatter, the opinions of critics, or the narratives being spun by the media.
Smith has faced his fair share of criticism throughout his career, with his time with the Seattle Seahawks and now his tenure with the Raiders providing plenty of moments for pundits to weigh in. After a series of inconsistent performances, there’s no shortage of narratives being built around his future in the NFL. But Smith isn’t concerned with the noise — he’s determined to prove himself on the field.
A New Focus: One Play at a Time
For Smith, it’s all about his next opportunity to lead his team to victory. Despite a rough start to the season with the Raiders, Smith is focused on putting the past behind him and moving forward. His statement is a clear indication that he’s choosing to focus on what he can control — his performance, his leadership, and the results on the field.
“I’ve learned to block out the distractions,” Smith continued. “At the end of the day, it’s about what happens when you step onto that field. The rest doesn’t matter. I’m here to play ball, and that’s where my focus is.”
This mindset comes at a critical juncture for Smith. The Raiders are looking for consistency from their quarterback, and Smith knows that he needs to step up and lead this team. With a solid supporting cast around him and a coaching staff committed to his success, Smith is ready to show the world that he’s capable of more than the ups and downs he’s been labeled with in the past.
The Opportunity Ahead
Week 11 is shaping up to be a pivotal moment in Smith’s season. As the Raiders face a tough opponent, the quarterback’s ability to block out the noise and deliver on the field will be crucial. With his statement, Smith is making it clear that he isn’t going to be defined by the criticism or the narrative that surrounds him. His focus is laser-sharp, and he’s determined to let his play do the talking.
For the Raiders, Smith’s commitment to his role and his no-nonsense approach could be the spark they need to get back on track. His leadership will be key to executing the game plan and finding success in the high-stakes moments. And for Smith, his chance to prove himself on the field has never been more important.
No More Excuses
At this point in his career, Geno Smith has nothing left to prove to anyone except himself. He’s already overcome plenty of obstacles, and now it’s all about taking responsibility for his role in the offense and leading his team with conviction. The past is behind him, and the future is in his hands. Smith has the chance to rewrite the narrative — and he’s doing it with one clear focus: football.
As the Raiders head into the second half of the season, the pressure is on. But with Geno Smith’s mindset firmly on the field, the distractions of the outside world won’t be a factor. The only thing that matters now is what happens when he takes the snap. No distractions, no excuses — just football.
The New Orleans Saints have been on quite a roller coaster ride with the quarterback position over the last year. Derek Carr suddenly retired in the offseason, which left the Saints with rookie Tyler Shough and Spencer Rattler battling for the starting job.
Rattler would eventually win the job out of training camp after the race was as tight as could be. New Orleans would give Rattler around half the season to find some momentum, but he couldn’t push the Saints to very many wins. Rattler wasn’t the team’s biggest problem, as he performed fine, but the team continued to lose so first year head coach Kellen Moore opted to bench Rattler and start Shough moving forward.
Through two career starts, Shough has looked much better than advertised. He’s already led the Saints to a win despite a very depleted roster. Still, it’s impossible to tell at this point whether he has what it takes to be the team’s franchise quarterback.
CBS Sports’ Josh Edwards recently put together a mock draft for the 2026 NFL Draft. With the No. 2 overall pick in the first round, Edwards predicted the Saints would draft Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza to take over for Shough in New Orleans.
“Tyler Shough led New Orleans to a win over the weekend, so it’s possible—though still unlikely—that the team plays itself out of the quarterback market,” Edwards wrote. “Still, unless the Saints are completely sold on Shough as their long-term answer, they’re going to take a quarterback if they have the opportunity.”
As of now, it’s hard to tell what the Saints will do with their top pick. They seemingly selected Shough in the second-round last season because they believe in him. Replacing Shough would make sense if he struggles down the stretch. But if he’s excellent, the Saints could use this pick on a playmaker like Caleb Downs or Carnell Tate.
But if the Saints want to add a quarterback in Round 1, Mendoza is the guy.
Mendoza is the top quarterback in college football right now, alongside Ohio State’s Julian Sayin (who’s not draft eligible). Mendoza has incredible poise and arm talent that helps him lead Indiana down the field at will. The Saints could add him if they’re not confident in Shough.