Pete Carroll’s reunion with Geno Smith intensifies the déjà vu expectations and the hopes of the Las Vegas Raiders finally getting reliable production at quarterback. Even if the price was a bit steep after they sent a third-round pick in 2025 over to the Seattle Seahawks.
Although it is just the beginning of Smith’s storyline in Las Vegas, experts already believe it would be the start of something good for the franchise. They traded for a veteran starter who earned two Pro Bowl nods under Carroll’s watch.
Marcel Reece Highlights Why Geno Smith Was the
Right Choice for Raiders
Carroll’s decision to bring in Smith when Russell Wilson was still available will remain under the microscope until the Raiders improve their quarterback production.
Former Raiders fullback Marcel Reece believes Smith will deliver consistently good passing numbers and allow the Las Vegas rushing offense. They ranked dead-last in rushing yards in 2024 at 79.8 yards per game. Meanwhile, the Raiders’ offense was ranked No. 29 out of 32 teams in PFSN’s Offense+ metric.
“Geno is an absolute pro. And you see everywhere that he is gone, and he had success before he left,” Reece explained about Smith on The Up & Adams Show. “He may not have a future, obviously, for 8-10 years, but he is going to give you consistency. He’s a great leader, he’s accurate with the football, and he absolutely wins.”
Furthermore, Reece also opened up on what went behind the scenes in the whole Wilson or Smith scenario. The one-time Pro Bowler revealed how both parties [Wilson and the Seahawks’ franchise] were interested, but “the timing just didn’t work out.” Remember, Reece was in that same Seattle locker room during the 2016 season.
There coulddddd have been a Pete Carroll and Russell Wilson reunion in Las Vegas…
BUT the Raiders saw a better fit with Geno Smith and Marcel Reece APPROVES!@heykayadams | @Celreece45 pic.twitter.com/ftLopUb5Ts
— Up & Adams (@UpAndAdamsShow) April 8, 2025
Smith’s Biggest Lesson: ‘Eliminate the Outside Noise’
The most intriguing aspect of the situation was Smith’s years on the bench behind Wilson in Seattle before he finally became the starter in 2022 following Wilson’s blockbuster trade. Smith was the Seahawks’ starter for three seasons, and two of them earned him trips to the Pro Bowl (2022, 2023).
During his time there, Smith learned a core lesson, per OnSI: “The biggest lesson I’ve learned is to stay consistent and to keep your head down in your work. I’ve figured out how to eliminate outside noise,” he said.
Smith’s record was decent in 2024, too, given he was playing under a completely different offense. He threw for 4,320 yards and 21 touchdowns, with 15 interceptions.
For what it’s worth, Carroll bringing in Smith the first chance he gets on his new team proves how confident he is in the quarterback’s ability to turn the tide.
Carroll’s signing of Smith until the 2027 season makes his intentions clear of keeping Smith in for the foreseeable future while they prepare to draft their next long-term franchise quarterback.