Geno Smith Lights It Up + Safety Depth Takes a Hit

Geno dazzled in the mock game — but a blow to the safety group could change things on the back end.

Author

Jesse Merrick
August 04, 2025

QUOTE OF THE DAY

"Yeah, you know I kind of got in trouble after that. I just, in the stadium I had to give the fans something. Had to get the ball off, and that’s something I’ve been working on all offseason, focused on getting takeaways. So yeah, got the ball out and got home. So it was incredible, for sure.”

— Maxx Crosby, Raiders Defensive End, to CBS Sports, on his strip sack and fumble return for a TD in the scrimmage at Allegiant Stadium

Photo Courtesy: Arnie Bazemore, Vegas Sports Today

In today’s newsletter, we’re diving into Geno’s big day in the mock game at Allegiant Stadium, examining what Lonnie Johnson Jr.’s injury means for the safety rotation, and highlighting a great feature story on defensive lineman Jonah Laulu written by our good friend Willie G. Ramirez.

GENO SMITH STEALS THE SHOW AT THE SCRIMMAGE

Photo Courtesy: Arnie Bazemore, Vegas Sports Today

There’s no way around it: Geno Smith stole the show at the Raiders’ mock game at Allegiant Stadium this weekend. Yes, it was against the second team defense, but we can’t hold that against him. On the first drive, he led the top offensive unit down the field for a score, completing six of his first eight passes and capped the drive off with a touchdown toss to Brock Bowers, who settled down in the zone for the score.

"It was a great day for us to have this many situations, game-ending scenarios, just to get our brains working, because the whole season is going to be this kind of operation. I know that Geno took ‘em down the field when he needed to and did a great job.”

— Pete Carroll, Raiders Head Coach

All told, Geno went a perfect four for four, leading the offense to scores on every one of his drives in the scrimmage, and he did a great job spreading the ball around to all of his weapons on offense along the way.

"We do have guys to go to. Guys that have really unique talents, special talents. Chip is well aware; you can see it - he already gets it. Throughout all of our camp, we’ve been utilizing guys to do things that they’re good at.”

— Pete Carroll

If you’ve been reading the newsletter or catching the podcast, you know the tight ends have been heavily involved throughout practice, and that was no different in the scrimmage. Chip Kelly leaned on 12 personnel pretty heavily, and Geno found Brock for a pair of scores. The second touchdown connection between the two was a beautiful back-shoulder ball that Kyu Blue Kelly had no chance of stopping.

It wasn’t all Brock, though; Michael Mayer was also prominently featured in the offense and came away with a big gainer on a post on their second drive of the scrimmage.

"I really like what we’re doing. Every time you come to practice, you see those guys showcased, and it’s because they have talents and he’s got it mixed in and Geno knows it and he knows those guys, we‘ve come a long way so far in that regard.”

— Pete Carroll

Pete has been very complimentary of Dont’e Thornton, and he’ll most definitely play a role on this offense when they’re in 11 personnel. But I think we’ll be seeing a ton of two-tight-end sets this year.

MISS ANYTHING?

Catch up on some of our recent stories:

Cornerback Clash & Starting Five Shakeup

— The CB battle is taking shape, and a surprise move up front could reshape the starting five.

Who’s Snapping to Geno? Plus, Jack Bech Makes His Move

— The center competition is getting real, and rookie WR Jack Bech is quietly building buzz after standout padded practices.

HOMETOWN HERO JONAH LAULU LIVING OUT DREAM WITH THE RAIDERS

Photo Courtesy: Las Vegas Raiders

Ever since Christian Wilkins was released, we’ve talked about the big opportunity that was created for second-year defensive lineman Jonah Laulu. He’s consistently gotten first crack at the reps at three-technique with the first team defense and is in the drivers seat to repalce Wilkins.

While he tries to lock down that starting role, our good friend Willie Ramirez wrote a great feature story about the Las Vegas local for The Sporting Tribune. We’ve included an excerpt from Willie’s story below but click here to read the full story on The Sporting Tribune.

Nine years ago, roaming the halls of Centennial High School in Northwest Las Vegas, a much younger Jonah Laulu was more likely to be thinking about heading to Canes Chicken Fingers after a Friday night game with the Bulldogs than where life was taking him after graduating. He certainly never imagined he'd be in the NFL, let alone returning to his hometown to play professional football.

— Excerpt from W.G. Ramirez’s feature story on Jonah Laulu in The Sporting Tribune

Willie does great work covering all Las Vegas Sports and covers the WNBA better than anyone else in the biz. If you liked his story on Jonah, give him a follow on X (Twitter)

THE FALLOUT FROM LONNIE JOHNSON JR.’S INJURY IN THE SCRIMMAGE

Photo Courtesy: Arnie Bazemore, Vegas Sports Today

Safety Lonnie Johnson Jr. got rolled up on in the scrimmage and had to be carted off the field on Saturday. This is just a day after he told us he felt like this was his opportunity to prove to the staff that he deserves a long-term deal.

"Honestly, just continue to put my head down and continue to work, man. And honestly, I'm here every day early studying, making sure I do everything right to earn the respect from (John) Spytek, Mr. Davis, and Tom Brady, just to earn a different contract. It's a prove-it deal for me. It's a prove-it deal for my family, because I'm tired of moving. I'm tired of flying them out every year. I've got a wife and four kids at home, so I want to retire a Raider, honestly. When I'm done, I want to finish my career here."

— Lonnie Johnson Jr., Raiders Safety

Then the news came down on Sunday, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported that Lonnie broke his fibula.

That rotational role Jeremy is talking about was a particular nickel package that Raiders defensive coordinator Patrick Graham really seems to like. In that package, Jeremy Chinn roles down into the slot as the nickel corner, and Lonnie was the first safety off the bench to line up high next to Isaiah Pola-Mao. With Johnson clearly done for the year, there’s now going to be a battle for that rotational spot. We dove into who could fill that void at safety in our latest podcast:

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WHAT’S NEXT?

The Raiders had the day off on Sunday, so no practice observations to get to, but we’ll be back out at HQ today for their first day of practice since the scrimmage.

With that in mind, make sure you keep your eyes and ears peeled for our next episode of the Silver and Black Sports Network Podcast dropping after practice today. We’re catching up with the voice of the Raiders, Jason Horowitz. Jason’s an awesome guy and spent all week with the team leading up to the mock game at Allegiant Stadium, so he’ll have some great insight for us on what he expects to see out of the Raiders this season.

Catch ya next time,

Silver & Black Sports Network is an independent media outlet. We are not affiliated with, endorsed, or sponsored by the Las Vegas Raiders or the NFL.

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