The Kenny Pickett era for the Las Vegas Raiders appears set to commence in Week 14.

Pickett, who was traded to the Raiders in late August after spending the offseason and training camp with the Cleveland Browns, will likely be under center Sunday for Las Vegas with starting quarterback Geno Smith ailing.

According to NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport, Pickett is “in line” to start against, ironically, the Philadelphia Eagles. According to Rapoport, Smith is “unlikely” to play on Sunday due to a shoulder injury.

#Raiders QB Geno Smith, dealing with a shoulder injury, is considered unlikely to start on Sunday, sources say. He won’t practice today.

That would put Kenny Pickett in line to start against the #Eagles, his former team. pic.twitter.com/N99FxWImkG

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 10, 2025

Pickett stepped in for Smith last week against the Denver Broncos and played well, completing 8-of-11 passes for 97 yards and a touchdown. His 25-yard touchdown pass to Shedrick Jackson was a thing of beauty as Pickett fired a laser over the middle for the score.

It was the third game this season Pickett has appeared in for the Raiders. On the season, Pickett is 10-of-14 for 105 yards and one touchdown. His first snap as a Raider didn’t go well as it ended in a fumble. But since then he’s bounced back in mop-up duty.

It’s been a whirlwind year for the former first-round pick out of Pittsburgh as Pickett won the Super Bowl last season with the Eagles, seeing time late in the blowout win over the Kansas City Chiefs. But the Eagles shipped him to Cleveland in the offseason in a swap of backup quarterbacks.

Pickett didn’t win the Browns’ starting job in training camp and was ultimately traded to the Raiders. The Raiders have struggled mightily and Smith, who was acquired in a sign-and-trade with Seattle, has been a big part of the issues in the Sin City.

Now he’s hurt, and it’s opened the door for Pickett to get another shot at starting. That he’ll get a chance to start against the Eagles in Philadelphia, too, is rather fitting. Pickett started one game for the Eagles last season, appearing in five total, while going 1-0 as a starter. He completed 25-of-42 passes for 291 yards and two touchdowns but did throw one interception and lost one fumble.