Smith capped the nine-play, 60-yard drive with a 17-yard touchdown pass to rookie Dont'e Thornton Jr., who fought off Denzel Burke at the front pylon to make the catch and give Las Vegas a 7-0 lead.

Smith threw for 4,320 yards, 21 touchdowns and 15 interceptions while completing 70.4 percent of his passes and posting a 93.2 passer rating with the Seattle Seahawks last season. He did make back-to-back Pro Bowl appearances in 2022 and 2023, but he has regressed considerably since his breakout campaign during the previous year.

The Las Vegas Raiders have longed for a competent starting quarterback. Years of lackluster play from their signal callers has been a significant part of the reason the Raiders have lost more than they have won recently.