Geno Smith believes his journey led him to Raiders because “the stars are aligning” in Las Vegas | NFL News

Geno Smith is stepping into a new chapter of his NFL journey, this time in the heart of the desert with the Las Vegas Raiders. After spending years resurrecting his career with the Seattle Seahawks, Smith now finds himself in a seemingly fated reunion with Pete Carroll, this time under the bright lights of Sin City. And for Smith, it’s not just about the paycheck—it’s about being respected.

Geno Smith shares why joining Raiders feels right

Following his trade from Seattle to Las Vegas, the veteran quarterback wasted no time embracing his new home. Though the three-year, $75 million contract extension—with $18.5 million guaranteed for 2026—is financially comparable to what he might’ve received from the Seahawks, the circumstances around it feel entirely different. In his words, it’s about more than money. “I’m very grateful, very thankful, very appreciative. But my main focus is go out there and win games, set the tone and be a better version than anyone’s ever seen of me,” Smith told Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer.
What truly set this move apart was the Raiders’ new head coach—none other than former Seahawks legend Pete Carroll. For Smith, it felt like the universe was speaking to him. “I think if you believe in fate, you believe in things like that, then it’s like the stars are all aligning, right?” he said. “I could see Pete, but all the guys that he would want to be a part of it? We’re here, we’re doing this thing together.”
Smith had once been deeply affected by Carroll’s departure from Seattle. “I was sick, man, when [Carroll] left Seattle — I was sick. And I didn’t see this coming. I think it’s going to be great for both of us.” The reunion, now in Las Vegas, offers a chance to build something entirely new but rooted in mutual respect and familiarity.
Adding to the allure is minority owner Tom Brady and offensive coordinator Chip Kelly—who once tried to recruit a younger Smith to Oregon. With familiar faces and supportive leadership, Smith seems more motivated than ever. “It’s all the things that you would want,” he noted.
In Seattle, Smith enjoyed a surprising resurgence, stepping up as a starter and proving he still had plenty left in the tank. But with new head coach Mike Macdonald shifting focus toward a younger roster, Smith sensed a “disconnect” with the Seahawks’ long-term direction. His desire “to be respected” and play for people who believed in him made the Raiders an opportunity he simply couldn’t turn down.
Now, in Las Vegas, Smith feels aligned with a franchise ready to invest in him—not just as a player, but as a leader. With continuity in coaching, star power in ownership, and belief from top to bottom, the foundation is set.
In a city known for winning big, Geno Smith is ready to bet on himself—and this time, the odds just might be in his favor.
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