Raiders trade for Kenny Pickett to back up Geno Smith

Aidan OConnell's fractured right wrist in the Raiders' preseason finale has forced Las Vegas into an urgent search for quarterback depth, the team announced this week, and prompted a trade Monday that brought Kenny Pickett from Cleveland to serve as Geno Smith's backup. OConnell suffered the injury in the loss to the Arizona Cardinals and is expected to miss six to eight weeks, coach Pete Carroll said, a timetable that would keep him out through much of September and into early October.

Carroll called the injury "a big blow" and made clear the Raiders wanted an experienced signal caller to steadied the room behind Smith. "I want somebody who's played. That's what's important," Carroll said Sunday. With rookie Cam Miller, a sixth round pick, having limited live-game experience this summer, Las Vegas moved quickly to add veteran insurance.

General manager John Spytek confirmed the Raiders sent a 2026 fifth round pick to Cleveland for Pickett, a former first round pick who has started 25 NFL games. "He's not too dissimilar from Geno in a lot of ways in the way he can move," Spytek said, adding that Pickett's style should ease any midgame transition for offensive coordinator Chip...