As Sports Illustrated\u2019s Albert Breer detailed in an article<\/a> last month, Smith frequently reached out to Carroll during the 2024 season when he needed a sounding board. At the time, Smith was still the Seattle Seahawks\u2019 starting quarterback, while Carroll was out of football after he and Seattle parted ways following the 2023 season.<\/p>\n \u201cI was just being a friend, really,\u201d Carroll said Wednesday during a wide-ranging conversation on Seattle Sports\u2019 Brock and Salk. \u201cI was just being a friend and loving him up and supporting him through all the good stuff and the hard stuff.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Smith and Carroll are now reunited on the Las Vegas Raiders. The 73-year-old Carroll was named the Raiders\u2019 new head coach<\/a> in January, and less than two months later, the Raiders swung a trade to acquire the 34-year-old Smith<\/a> from the Seahawks.<\/p>\n It was Carroll, of course, who helped revive Smith\u2019s career in Seattle.<\/p>\n Smith spent seven consecutive seasons as a backup quarterback \u2013 including his first three seasons with the Seahawks, when he served as Russell Wilson\u2019s backup from 2019 through 2021. But after Seattle dealt Wilson to the Denver Broncos, Smith won the Seahawks\u2019 starting job and experienced a breakout 2022 campaign that earned him AP Comeback Player of the Year honors. Smith then had another solid season in 2023, which further cemented his status as a legitimate starting QB.<\/p>\n Carroll reflected on Smith\u2019s journey during his appearance on Brock and Salk.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat he demonstrated to me was this remarkable connection in spirit to being ready \u2013 knowing that the very next play, he may be in the game,\u201d Carroll said. \u201cHe never forgot that. And his resolve about that I thought was so exceptional that when he got his turn, I was thrilled for him.\u201d<\/p>\n And ultimately, it\u2019s why Carroll wanted to bring Smith to Las Vegas.<\/p>\n \u201cThis opportunity comes up and we need a quarterback \u2013 I mean, really, to me it was a classic opportunity for us to really transition with the quarterback position, with a coach that they see eye to eye on everything,\u201d Carroll said.<\/p>\n \u201cGeno has killed it here. He\u2019s been such a factor. The leadership that he brings and his work ethic, his mentality and he looks great throwing the football. It\u2019s been a fantastic assistance to turning this thing over.\u201d<\/p>\n Listen to the full conversation with Pete Carroll\u00a0at this link<\/a>\u00a0or in the audio player near the middle of this story. Tune in to Brock and Salk weekdays from 6 to 10 a.m. or find the podcast on the Seattle Sports app.<\/p>\n Seattle Seahawks news and analysis<\/p>\n \u2022\u00a0Pete Carroll praises Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald for 1st-year success<\/a>
\u2022\u00a06 things that stand out about Seattle Seahawks\u2019 2025 schedule<\/a>
\u2022\u00a0A recurring theme throughout Seattle Seahawks\u2019 2025 schedule<\/a>
\u2022\u00a0Brock and Salk react to Seattle Seahawks\u2019 2025 schedule<\/a>
\u2022\u00a0Where Seattle Seahawks\u2019 strength of schedule ranks for 2025<\/a><\/p>\n
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