Geno Smith: From “nobody” to Raiders leader, fits in Las Vegas and seeks revenge

Geno Smith: From Seattle to Las Vegas, a New Chapter with the Raiders

The Raiders’ quarterback, Geno Smith, has found an environment in Las Vegas that perfectly matches his personality and ambitions. Coming from Florida, the heat and fast pace of the city feel like home for Smith, who sees in the Raiders an opportunity to lead and leave his mark on the NFL. After spending six seasons in Seattle, where he went from backup to starter and was selected twice for the Pro Bowl, Smith feels that the Raiders’ culture is a better fit for him. “Vegas is perfect for me,” Smith stated. “As someone from Miami, raised a certain way, I didn’t fit in with the Seattle culture.” In his fifth team in 12 seasons, Smith arrives at the Raiders as the key piece in the quarterback position. The team relies on him to provide stability and lead the franchise.

“I finally have my team. I always felt like I was trying to replace Russell Wilson in Seattle, and you can never replace the great things he did. So I never felt like Seattle was my team. The Raiders just fit me.”

Geno Smith

Smith joins the Raiders’ plan to reverse a losing streak, where inconsistency at the quarterback position has been a key factor. Smith’s relationship with coach Pete Carroll, and his competitive spirit, are key to establishing the culture the coach seeks. Smith’s arrival in Las Vegas, and his subsequent performance, is largely due to the confidence Pete Carroll placed in him. After a period as a substitute in several teams, Smith found in Carroll a coach who believed in his potential. “He is a facilitator in that sense,” said Carroll. “He’s a guy who gives it his all and there is no doubt about his commitment and conviction, so that helps the message to be embedded even more. That’s why he is so valuable to us.”

Smith’s story with the Raiders began with a remarkable away victory against the New England Patriots in Week 1, where he demonstrated his confidence and ability to lead. In that game, Smith completed 70.6% of his passes for 362 yards, a touchdown, and an interception. Smith, known for his confidence and competitive spirit, has adopted a “us against the world” mentality with the Raiders. His goal is to win the championship, and he is not intimidated by the tough competition in the AFC West. “They have to beat us. That’s how I see it,” Smith said. “We have to beat the Chiefs, but they have to beat us.” Smith, 34, envisions playing between 15 and 20 seasons, and feels motivated to prove his worth in Las Vegas. Smith’s contract ties him to the Raiders until 2028, and the team trusts in his ability to lead the franchise in the coming years.