Sportsnaut
In the Las Vegas Raiders‘ final preseason game, they showed how their offense can attack defenses over the top, but the club left the field with a glaring question mark at quarterback. Also, one of the team’s tightest position battles is for a rotational role. Raiders Daily will break down the aftermath of the Silver and Black’s offseason.
On the Raiders’ opening possession, Geno Smith led a touchdown drive that should excite fans. He uncorked a long back-shoulder throw to Dont’e Thornton Jr., who scored on a 17-yard play.
7️⃣ ➡️ 🔟 😎#LVvsAZ | 📺 FOX5 pic.twitter.com/HYVJtwT8BQ
— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) August 24, 2025
At practice, Smith and Thornton have worked on their connection, and it translated into instant offense against the Arizona Cardinals. Unlike recent seasons, the Raiders will be able to air it out a lot more with an accurate strong-armed passer.
Furthermore, Thornton showed that he’s more than a practice performer. He’s going to be a factor on game day, and defenders must account for his 4.3 straight-line speed.
If you’ve been longing for the Raiders to field a more explosive aerial attack, Smith and Thornton will satisfy your appetite.
Read More: Geno Smith Will Dominate in 2025, and the Numbers Prove It
Aidan O’Connell entered the game after Smith, but he had a short outing because of an injury. According to The Athletic’s Tashan Reed, he will miss six to eight weeks with a fractured wrist.
Carroll said O'Connell fractured his wrist. He'll need surgery and will be out 6-8 weeks. #Raiders need a backup QB.
— Tashan Reed (@tashanreed) August 24, 2025
Only a few days before the roster cuts deadline, Las Vegas must address the backup quarterback position. Based on Cam Miller’s subpar performances over the last two weeks of the preseason, he’s a developmental third-stringer rather than a trustworthy primary backup.
Carson Wentz is the best free-agent quarterback available. According to ESPN’s Lindsey Thiry, the 32-year-old worked out for the Minnesota Vikings on Saturday.
QB Carson Wentz is working out for the Vikings today, per source.
— Lindsey Thiry (@LindseyThiry) August 23, 2025
If the Raiders trade for a signal-caller, they may consider reuniting Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson with offensive coordinator Chip Kelly, who coached him for five collegiate terms at UCLA.
It’s worth noting that the Eagles have four quarterbacks on their roster, and they made a deal with the Raiders weeks ago, swapping Thomas Booker IV for Jakorian Bennett.
Read More: Raiders Daily: Trey Hendrickson Trade Unlikely, Jackson Powers-Johnson in Competition
Raiders’ brass could make a notable cut at running back between Raheem Mostert and Zamir White. Through the preseason, they contested for the No. 2 spot behind rookie first-rounder Ashton Jeanty.
Against the Cardinals, White and Mostert...
