Raiders: Geno Smith Impresses Kelly and Meyers at OTAs

HENDERSON, Nev. – The Las Vegas Raiders are in the second week of NFL Organized Team Activities (OTAs), and quarterback Geno Smith has already made a strong impression.

Wide receiver Jakobi Meyers, whose face lit up with emotion when talking about his new teammate after Thursday’s practice, confirms it.

Meyers, who has played with nine starting quarterbacks since entering the league in 2019, and five in two seasons in Las Vegas, feels a stability in Smith’s presence that he hadn’t experienced since he was teammates with Tom Brady in his rookie year in New England.

I really mean it. He knows what he’s doing and shows up the same way every day. I haven’t seen him have a bad day.

Jakobi Meyers

Smith was acquired in a trade with the Seahawks in March with the expectation that he would provide the stability that Las Vegas has sought at the quarterback position since Derek Carr’s departure in 2022. Although the Raiders will have to wait until the regular season to see if Smith was really worth it, after the trade of a third-round pick and a two-year, $75 million extension.

Offensive coordinator Chip Kelly praised Smith, calling him a blessing for coaches due to his vast experience after playing with multiple coordinators throughout his 11-year career.

Kelly mentioned that Smith calls him at night after practice to discuss what happened during the day.

Geno is literally like a second coach. When you’re in that room with him and Greg Olson, there are a lot of ideas flying around. His football acumen is truly off the charts, and it’s impressive to be around him.

Chip Kelly

Smith also expressed his enthusiasm for playing under Kelly, who tried to recruit him when he was a coach at Oregon. Smith said he has always admired Kelly and that it’s a “dream come true” that they are both together in Las Vegas. Kelly has admired how quickly Smith can get rid of the ball and believes the quarterback’s running ability is underestimated. Smith had 17 carries that resulted in a first down last season. “I think he runs better than people give him credit for. I think he can beat you with his feet and keep plays alive,” Kelly said. Smith has already established himself as a respected leader in the locker room, one of the reasons coach Pete Carroll wanted to meet with the veteran quarterback after six seasons in Seattle. Kelly said part of the reason Smith has been a great leader is that he is close to all the players. Smith understands what it’s like to be a highly touted prospect coming out of college, to be a backup in the NFL, and to have to fight to get back to the top. After Smith’s four seasons with the New York Jets, who drafted him in the second round in 2013, didn’t go as expected, he was a backup for the Giants and the Chargers. He then joined the Seahawks in 2019, serving as a backup for two seasons before emerging as the team’s starter after Russell Wilson was traded to the Denver Broncos in 2022. Smith completed 68.5% of his pass attempts, throwing for 12,961 yards, 76 touchdowns, and 36 interceptions in 54 games (52 as a starter) in Seattle.

There aren’t many guys who have shown that resilience. He can be so relatable to everyone, because he’s lived that life. He’s been a high draft pick, but he’s also been a guy who’s been told a team doesn’t want him.

The fact that he did it and it turned out the way it is now is a testament to him. He’s special,” Kelly said.

Smith expressed his enthusiasm for helping the Raiders build under Carroll’s direction and the rest of the coaching staff. He believes he is surrounded by talented players in Meyers, tight end Brock Bowers, and rookie running back Ashton Jeanty, whom he called “wise beyond his years.”

“I can’t wait to see how it all comes together,” Smith said.