Raiders could hold QB competition to replace Geno Smith in Week 18

Las Vegas Raiders starting quarterback Geno Smith left Sunday's Week 17 defeat to the New York Giants with an ankle injury. It's possible Smith has played his final snap as a Raider. It's difficult to envision him playing in a non-competitive regular-season Week 18 finale versus the Kansas City Chiefs.

Raiders head coach Pete Carroll has already acknowledged the possibility. Carroll claimed the Raiders could hold a quarterback competition at practice this week to determine who starts versus the Chiefs. That would pit Kenny Pickett against Aidan O'Connell.

A defeat to the Chiefs would help the Raiders clinch the No. 1 overall selection in April's 2026 NFL draft. The Chiefs will be starting third string quarterback Chris Oladokun. Neither offense figures to be overly competitive or competent on Sunday.

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Pickett started the Raiders' 31-0 blowout loss to the Philadelphia Eagles earlier this month. He was abysmal, completing 15-of-25 passing attempts for 64 yards, zero touchdowns, and one interception. He threw a touchdown on 8-11 passing in spot duty versus the Denver Broncos the weekend prior.

O'Connell has not attempted a pass this season. He was injured during the preseason and placed on IR, but the Raiders held onto him and he has since recovered. With Smith nursing an ankle injury heading into a must-lose scenario, it'll almost certainly be Pickett or O'Connell at quarterback on Sunday.

This article originally appeared on Raiders Wire: Raiders could hold QB competition to replace Geno Smith in Week 18