The position of Geno Smith as the starting quarterback for the Las Vegas Raiders appears to be hanging by a thread following a controversial incident with the team's own supporters during a demoralising defeat.
Smith's gesture, seemingly flipping the middle finger, was directed at Raiders fans as he left the field following a 24-10 loss to the Cleveland Browns. This moment of frustration caps a disastrous season for the player and the storied franchise.
A Season of Struggle Culminates in Controversy
After being traded from the Seattle Seahawks, Geno Smith's time in Sin City has been nothing short of a nightmare. The low point came on Sunday when he was sacked a career-high 10 times by the Browns' defence.
To add insult to injury, Smith was thoroughly outplayed by opposing quarterback Shedeur Sanders, who was making his first-ever NFL start. The performance drew loud jeers from the home crowd, setting the stage for the now-viral incident.
Video footage and a subsequent photograph from a sideline photographer appear to show Smith making the offensive gesture while exiting the field. The response from the Raiders fanbase was swift and merciless on social media.
Fan Fury and Immediate Fallout
Raiders supporters were quick to voice their anger online, with many calling for Smith to be benched immediately. One fan stated, 'There needs to be repercussions for that. What player flips off his own fans? Don’t wanna get booed, play better.'
Another fan tagged Head Coach Pete Carroll and General Manager Jon Spytek, writing, 'Raider Nation has the most loyal fans... and we don’t deserve what is being put on the field, let alone getting the finger from our starting QB.'
The organisation did not wait long to make a change. Mere hours after the final whistle, the Raiders fired Offensive Coordinator Chip Kelly, who had been hired in February on a lucrative $6 million contract.
A Stark Contrast to Pre-Season Hopes
The current situation marks a dramatic fall from grace for Smith and the Raiders. His arrival in Vegas was meant to be the centrepiece of an exciting offseason designed to turn the team's fortunes around.
The organisation had also hired Coach Pete Carroll, signed star defensive end Maxx Crosby to a new deal, and drafted promising running back Ashton Jeanty. With legendary quarterback Tom Brady holding a minority ownership stake, expectations were high.
However, the team's record now stands at a dismal 2-9, eliminating any hope of reaching the postseason and prolonging the misery for their passionate fanbase.
Speaking to reporters after the game, Smith's words contrasted sharply with his actions on the field. 'As a quarterback, I put it on me,' he said. 'I'm super resilient... I've got to be the example, continue to get out and hold my head high.'
Coach Carroll expressed his disappointment, specifically mentioning the let-down for the home supporters. 'We had a great crowd and they were loud and helping and all of that,' Carroll said, 'and they walk away from here so dissatisfied.'
The Las Vegas Raiders have been contacted for an official comment regarding Geno Smith's gesture.
