The 2025 NFL season was a rollercoaster of outcomes. And for some teams, it was like the worst nightmares coming true. Three teams from the AFC and one from the NFC finished the season with a 3-14 record. The underwhelming end to the season caused a series of big decisions from various franchises.
While the Arizona Cardinals fired Jonathan Gannon, the Las Vegas Raiders fired Pete Carroll after a season that saw Las Vegas post the league’s worst record in points per game. Amid this, the Raiders’ QB Geno Smith’s social media activity has sparked speculation.
Geno Smith’s Cryptic Social Media Stand After Pete Carroll’s Firing
As reported by 8 News Now’s Madyson Marie, Smith has completely transformed his social media image. From a multitude of posts in Raider gear and game celebrations, his Instagram account now features only a picture of him with his cousin, Jeremiah Smith, a wide receiver for Ohio State.
While many claim the posts are deleted, there is a fair possibility that all those posts were archived. Some fans believe it might be a way to show support for his long-time coach, Carroll, after the Raiders fired him. What adds more to this conviction is Smith posting pictures with the ex-HC on his Instagram stories.
Marie wrote on X, “Geno Smith has deleted everything Raider related on his Instagram and posted photos of himself and Pete Carroll on his story following today’s announcement.”
Carroll’s departure now adds another layer of complexity in an already turbulent season for Smith and the Raiders. It started with Carroll coming back into the NFL after a successful college stint, joining the Seattle Seahawks in 2010. He would go on to guide the team to ten playoff appearances, including a championship in Super Bowl 48.
In 2019, Smith joined the Seahawks as a backup quarterback. After franchise quarterback Russell Wilson was traded to the Denver Broncos in 2022, Smith led the breakout sessions with Carroll as the starting player. In 2023, the coach-player relationship was sealed with Smith winning the Comeback Player of the Year award.
After Carroll walked off the team to join the Raiders, Smith followed, having been traded to Las Vegas.
“I’ll run through a wall for him, and he knows that,” Smith had said of Carroll after being traded to the Raiders.
With Carroll gone now, the QB’s future hangs in the balance. However, GM John Spytek has issued an official statement regarding Smith’s place with the organization.
“Geno’s under contract for next year. … I’m not going to get too far into the future right now. But he’s one of the guys that’s under contract. He’s the quarterback. He played some good football this year, and we’ll make those decisions going forward,” Spytek said.
Smith’s future with the organization is not entirely set in stone, as the franchise could attempt to acquire a quarterback if needed. As the playoffs approach, the Raiders’ front office will have plenty of time to make the big decisions.
