New Raiders addition already getting acclimated

The decision of the Las Vegas Raiders to trade for quarterback Kenny Pickett came out of necessity.

When Aidan O’Connell went down with a fractured wrist against the Arizona Cardinals, the Raiders were running the risk of a shallow quarterback room. Should Geno Smith come down with an injury, the Raiders would have been stuck with having to turn to sixth-round rookie Cam Miller for regular season snaps. With the Cleveland Browns drafting two rookies and already naming Joe Flacco as their starter, Pickett became expendable enough for the Raiders to get in a trade.

Despite only being with the Raiders for a short time, Pickett already appears to have made perfect sense as a backup option.

Pickett has already established relationships within his new team.

During his media availability on Thursday, Pickett was asked about how his relationship with Smith was progressing, and he revealed that the two had worked out together during the offseason.

“Yeah, Geno’s awesome. We got to work together every day in the offseason. So, it’s actually crazy how this game works. He was, like, kind of my training partner. We were pushing each other every day in the weight room, on the field. We were throwing like three times a week,” Pickett said.

“So, it’s really funny now that we’re teammates and we’re kind of picking up right where we left off. So, he’s an awesome guy to learn from. [I’m] here for him, whatever he needs. He’s answering my questions. Obviously, I have a lot of them. I’m trying not to bother him too much, but it’s a great relationship for sure.”

Smith was not the only person on the Raiders that Pickett was working with, as he had a connection with offensive coordinator Chip Kelly as well.

“I think just looking at it early, he’s good friends with Mark Whipple, who was my [offensive coordinator] at the University of Pittsburgh. So, there’s a lot of similarities there,” Pickett said of Kelly.

With these connections, the decision to acquire Pickett makes more sense than ever.