After several up-and-down NFL seasons, the Las Vegas Raiders are hoping for a fresh start—and they may have just found it in veteran quarterback Geno Smith. Joining the Silver and Black after a career resurgence in Seattle, the QB arrives in Vegas alongside the influence of longtime Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll, who is stepping into a crucial role with the franchise.

Age may just be a number, but in this sport, it often signifies experience—and, in many cases, the final stretch of a player’s professional career. Despite being 34, Smith says he feels better than ever, warning his opponents that the best is yet to come.

“I’ve got the six-pack back, feeling stronger than ever, my body’s feeling healthy, I’m ready to go,” Smith said in an interview for the Raiders’ YouTube channel. “I’m 34, I’ll be 35 next year, but I still feel 21.”

Since entering the NFL in 2013, the Raiders will be the fifth team Geno Smith suits up for. The veteran quarterback previously spent time with both New York franchises—the Jets and the Giants—followed by a stint with the Los Angeles Chargers, and most recently, a career resurgence with the Seattle Seahawks.

General manager John Spytek of the Las Vegas Raiders, quarterback Geno Smith and head coach Pete Carroll of the Raiders pose after a news conference introducing Smith at the Las Vegas Raiders Headquarters/Intermountain Healthcare Performance Center on April 07, 2025 in Henderson, Nevada.

Smith following in Brady’s footsteps?

When it comes to NFL players who’ve stood out not only for their immense talent but also for their longevity in the game, Tom Brady is inevitably one of the first names that comes to mind.

Geno Smith knows it well—which is why he made a bold admission about Brady. Smith openly acknowledged his desire to absorb as much knowledge as possible from the former Patriots and Buccaneers legend, aiming to continue growing and elevating his game every step of the way.

“I got a chance to talk to him, went to his home and spent about an hour and just talked ball with him and talked life. You understand why he is who he is immediately. He takes everything extremely seriously, he’s a diligent worker and he believes in hard work. I think we align that way. I want to be a sponge. I want to soak up as much knowledge as I can from him. I want to learn as much as I can from him, the greatest quarterback to play the game,” Smith said about Brady, according to NBC Sports.

He also added: “It’s Tom Brady. It’s a guy that I’ve idolized and looked up to, and I believe he does things the right way, and I think that’s something I wanted to take from just watching his game from afar.”

Tom Brady walks across the field before the game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on November 24, 2024 in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

What can we expect from the Raiders in the 2025 Season?

With the arrival of Geno Smith and the strategic influence of Pete Carroll in the coaching staff, the Las Vegas Raiders enter the 2025 season with renewed hope and a clear sense of direction. After years of inconsistency and roster turnover, the franchise is finally showing signs of stability—both on and off the field.

The top priority for Las Vegas will likely be finding the right balance on the field in order to truly compete within their division—especially against the reigning powerhouse, the Kansas City Chiefs. As the weeks go by, we’ll begin to see exactly what this revamped Raiders team is capable of.

SURVEY Can Geno Smith lead the Raiders to contender status in the NFL?

Can Geno Smith lead the Raiders to contender status in the NFL?

Yes
No

already voted 35 fans