“He’s one of the coaches who truly believes in hard work, so when I got here, I knew that if I worked hard enough, maybe I’d get a shot,” said then-Seahawks QB Geno Smith for HC Pete Carroll in December 2023. Little did he know that he wouldn’t be playing with the long-time coach in 2024, as the HC left the franchise. Now, it’s time for a reunion.

Let’s rewind to 2019. That year, Smith came to Seattle but had to wait three years before playing a full season as their starter. In 17 games (all starts) during the 2022 season, he had a 9–8 win-loss record, completing 399 of 572 passes (69.8% completion rate) for 4,282 passing yards and 30 touchdowns, with just 11 interceptions. He also had 68 rushes for 366 yards and one touchdown.

It was the start of a new era for the signal caller. But things changed when the team failed to qualify for the playoffs in both 2023 and 2024. The quarterback grew frustrated. Amid Geno Smith’s struggles, Carroll joined the Las Vegas Raiders as head coach. He was looking for a quarterback who could lead. Many assumed the HC might reunite with Russell Wilson, but instead, he chose the younger 34-year-old player.

On April 7, the Pete Carroll and Geno Smith sat in the introductory press conference. He revealed his stance on joining the Raiders HC and said, “I think there is unfinished business and I think, when people think about my story, Coach Carroll is a big part of that.” In 4 years with the coach at the Seahawks, Smith started 37 games (35 starters) and had a 18-17 win-loss record. There is a bond.

When Geno was the starting QB for the Seahawks, the coach had to instill confidence in the backup. Geno Smith remembered those years well. The deep respect he has for the coach was expressed in his words: “I was just telling this man I’ll run through a wall for him, and he knows that.” That’s really impressive.

However, there could be bigger things at play here. After the disappointing 2023 season, the team first parted ways with head coach Pete Carroll and brought in Mike Macdonald. Yet, they still failed to secure a spot in the playoffs.

Geno Smith reveals the real reason behind leaving Seahawks

The signal caller signed a 3-year $75 million extension with the Hawks in 2023. He had a year left but decided not to renew it. Everyone wondered if that was the right choice or not. And his motivation behind the move? Obviously, his desire to play with Carroll again. But there was another reason. It’s a major one!

NFL insider Albert Breer revealed that Geno Smith didn’t quite get the same respect. He quoted, “You’re talking about a QB who wants not only to get paid, every player wants to get paid, but to be respected, that’s the most important thing. It’s the respect factor, and I just felt like there was a disconnect there.” That’s surprising.

Now, as he reunites with Carroll, the signal caller has an uphill task here. The Raiders haven’t qualified for playoffs since 2021. Can Pete Carroll and Geno Smith change the course of history? It’s an interesting story that still has many chapters left.