As the two chatted for about a minute as Smith continued to go through his stretches, it was a clear reminder of the strong relationship the two built in Seattle \u2014 and what that could mean now that they are reunited in Las Vegas.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think Coach Carroll is extremely relatable,\u201d Smith said. \u201cI think he understands that guys have got to be themselves in order to be their best selves. He\u2019s a fun person to be around. You see just how positive he always is, he\u2019s always got a bright smile, he\u2019s always laughing, joking around. It\u2019s not him above the team or anyone above the team. It\u2019s everyone together, collectively.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Raiders hope the success the two had together with the Seahawks translates to their new home.<\/p>\n
Carroll took Seattle to back-to-back Super Bowl appearances \u2014 winning once with Russell Wilson at quarterback.<\/p>\n
Later, Carroll resurrected Smith\u2019s career by signing him in 2019 as the backup. Smith, a second-round pick in 2013 by the Jets, had lost his starting job with New York and spent one season each as a backup with the New York Giants and Los Angeles Chargers.<\/p>\n
Smith took over as Seattle\u2019s starter in 2022 and led the league by completing 69.8% of his passes while throwing for 4,282 yards and 30 touchdowns with 11 interceptions. He was selected as the NFL\u2019s AP Comeback Player of the Year<\/a>.<\/p>\n The Seahawks posted winning records all three years with Smith as the starter, but his career there reached a crossroads after last season. The two parties failed to reach a contract agreement, leading to the March 7 trade in which the Raiders gave up a third-round draft pick.<\/p>\n That means Smith is starting over again.<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s not a lot of guys that would have shown that resiliency,\u201d offensive coordinator Chip Kelly said. \u201cThere\u2019s not a lot of guys that would have persevered through all of that. \u2026 He\u2019s so relatable to everybody in this program because he\u2019s kind of lived that life.<\/p>\n \u201cThe fact that he has done it and come out and to be the way he is now is really a testament to him.\u201d<\/p>\n Smith said his up-and-down NFL career has helped him \u201ccherish it a little bit more.\u201d<\/p>\n The Raiders are putting their hopes and money \u2014 they signed Smith to a two-year, $75 million extension that takes it through the 2027 season \u2014 that he can help make the franchise at least competitive again.<\/p>\n Three AFC West teams made the playoffs last season. The Raiders, who went 4-13, were the only ones taking early vacations, meaning hopes of ending a playoff victory drought that dates to the 2003 season would continue. Smith also has the burden of trying to win in a division with fellow quarterbacks Patrick Mahomes, Justin Herbert and Bo Nix.<\/p>\n But Smith also takes over an offense that includes tight end Brock Bowers, wide receiver Jakobi Meyers and running back Ashton Jeanty.<\/p>\n Bowers comes off a rookie season in which he was named an AP All-Pro after catching 112 passes for 1,194 yards. Meyers, who took over as the top receiver after Davante Adams was traded to the Jets, broke the 1,000-yard barrier for the first time. Jeanty was drafted sixth overall this year out of Boise State after finishing second in the Heisman Trophy balloting.<\/p>\n \u201cWinning is something that we want to do right now,\u201d Smith said. \u201cJust seeing the direction everything\u2019s going and how hard these guys are working and just how bad everyone wants to win, I\u2019m fortunate to be a part of this thing. I just want to continue to build it, to continue for this thing to grow. The sky\u2019s the limit for this team, this organization. I can\u2019t wait to see how it all comes together.\u201d<\/p>\n At 34, Smith provides a veteran presence at sports\u2019 ultimate leadership position, and Kelly said he even has impacted how the coaches go about their business.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s just been emblematic of what a leader should be, by his habits and by the way he brings himself every day,\u201d Carroll said. \u201cHe\u2019s the first guy out here, he\u2019s the last guy to leave.\u201d<\/p>\n Meyers noted that time commitment as well.<\/p>\n \u201cBy having Geno, it kind of brings a sense of stability,\u201d Meyers said. \u201cHe knows what he\u2019s doing. He shows up the same every day, his personality stays the same every day. I haven\u2019t seen him have a bad day yet. So I can\u2019t have bad days if the leader has no bad days.\u201d<\/p>\n More on Pete Carroll<\/p>\n \u2022 Why Seahawks-Pete Carroll split produced a rare result<\/a>
\u2022 Pete Carroll praises Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald for 1st-year success<\/a>
\u2022 How Tom Brady influenced Pete Carroll to take Raiders HC job<\/a>
\u2022 Pete Carroll details why he wanted to reunite with Geno Smith<\/a>
\u2022 Pete Carroll leaks that Raiders, Seahawks will play in preseason<\/a><\/p>\n
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