Pete Carroll Reveals Big-Name QB He Was Considering Before Geno Smith Trade originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
When the Las Vegas Raiders hired Pete Carroll as head coach, one of his first big jobs was helping the team identify an upgrade at quarterback. The team eventually was able to trade for Geno Smith, but he wasn’t the only quarterback Carroll was considering.
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In fact, the coach admitted that he was considering reuniting with another former Seahawks quarterback, Russell Wilson.
“With Russ coming up in free agency, we needed a quarterback. So there was conversation in that short amount of time, before we got Geno [Smith] that, who knows? There could be a shot,” Carroll said on the “Da Get Got” podcast.
Las Vegas Raiders head coach Pete Carroll.Candice Ward-Imagn Images
The two had a bit of a strained relationship after Wilson was traded to the Broncos, but according to Carroll, the two are on good terms.
“We’re doing fine,” Carroll said when asked about his relationship with Wilson. “I stay in contact with the guys as best I can. Russ was one to call you, and so I’ve heard a lot from him, and I’ve stayed in contact with him throughout, with the same thought of just trying to help him … Geno and I were talking during this last year, too. Just trying to help and be there for them and continue to support them. Because nobody knows those guys as well as I do.”
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Wilson was a free agent and cheaper than Smith, so he would’ve been an easier acquisition. Clearly, Carroll thinks Smith is a better quarterback right now. The likelihood of the Raiders drafting a quarterback early would’ve been much higher.
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This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 21, 2025, where it first appeared.